LvnEmbryos?? Are you still around?

To LvnEmbryos,

I hope you are still around because I am desperately in need of advice and input!

Here's my story...
After 3 IVF attempts (2 cancelled due to poor response and 1 with neg pregnancy), my DH and I decided to go with DE's.  We picked a lovely 30 year old.  She had completed 3 previous cycles (thus we were comfortable with her slightly older age for a donor).  Of these 3 cycles, the first ended in pregnancy (they retrieved 18 mature eggs, ~12 fertilized), the second was negative (the RE changed her meds; only 7 eggs retrieved, don't know the number of mature eggs or fert #) and the third (during which she produced 21 eggs, again unknown how many were fertilized) was a freeze-all because the recipient messed up the meds.  

For our cycle, she went through retrieval on 7/18.  She had a great cycle.  At her last monitoring appt on 7/16, the measurable follies ranged from 23.5-9.  A total of 24 eggs were retrieved.  We were not told how many of these were mature.  Today, the lab called with the fert report...only 9 fertilized reporteldy due to poor sperm morphology.

My DH's (who is now 47) last sperm analysis was in Sept after our failed IVF.  The lab told us that the analysis was good, specifically the morphology.  THe motility was a bit low (33%, though this was up from 15% a year previous).  They planned on using a fresh sperm sample, though had frozen TESA just in case which was retrieved 3 years ago during a vasectomy reversal.  

So here are my questions (sorry this is getting sooo long!):
1) How could the morphology change so much since September?
2) WHy wouldn't the lab use the TESA if the morphology of the fresh was so poor?
3) 9 fertlized eggs seems really low?
4) Are the 9 embryos at high risk of arresting or developing atypically due to the poor morphology?  How much does the sperm/morphology once fertilized factor into the growth and development of the embryo? Since they fertilized, are they considered no more at risk than any embryo?
5) Any thoughts of the possibility of making it to day 5 transfer??

We are feeling pretty disappointed at this point.  I hope we are jumping to conclusions, but 9 from 24 seems pretty dismal.

THANKS for reading this, and hopefully responding!  Again, I'm sorry to ramble...I don't know where else to look for answers!
KP

[Helen72]

Krista,
I have not seen LvnEmbryos here for a long time.  I hope she responds though.  But you should ask your embryologist.  You are paying them a LOT of money.  They should take the time to answer your questions.
I am so sorry about the disappointing report.  I wish they did ICSI if they knew the sample was poor.

[kp1212]

Thanks Helen.  I left a message for the embryologist earlier today so I should hear from them tomorrow.  I was anxious and wanted to get info asap.

They did, as far as I know, do ICSI.  I really want to know how many of the 24 were actually mature, and thus able to fertilize.  I will let you know what they say tomorrow.

Thanks for the support!

Remember, it ain't over till the fat lady sings (and I'm not singing yet!)!
  

[40smama]

I'm so sorry you're having so much confusion/problems w/this cycle.  i too haven't seen her in a while although she answered a note from me about 2 months ago so I think she's around on occasion.

I too am curious about how many of the 24 were actually mature.  Post when you have get your answer - I would be very interested in hearing it since I too did a donor cycle two years ago.  You're entering the fourth day, right?  When do they have you scheduled for transfer?  Without knowing everything, I still think you've got a shot at transferring on day 5.  Too bad we can't transfer some on day 3 and the rest on day 5 - LOL.  We had quite a few embies but only transferred one - w/a young donor, they usually won't transfer anymore than two (or at least that's my experience).

I wish you the best of luck - keep us posted - jen

[kp1212]

Hi Jen,

This is day 2 (retrieval was on Saturday).  We were hoping for a day 5 transfer.  The lab is suppose to call us today and let us know how the embies are growing.  The transfer may be tomorrow (day 3).  Hopefully not.  With 9 embies, I am hopeful there are some strong ones in there.

How did your donor cycle go two years ago?  What was the result???

Thanks for the response.  I wil keep you posted,
Krista

[kp1212]

Helen & Jen-
Finally spoke with the embryologist.  Of 24 retrieved, 17 were mature and 9 fertilized (all via ICSI).  Of the 9 (on day 2), 7 cleaved and are still viable though all 7 are fragmented.  :-(   There is a 2 cell grade 4, 3 cell grade 5, 2 x 3 cell grade 4, 4 cell grade 2, 5 cell grade 2 and 6 cell grade 2.  

So, on to transfer tomorrow...

Keep us in your prayers please!  

xoxo, k

[40smama]

K - I will send lots of good thoughts your way!!  you must be so excited for tomorrow - how many embies are they going to transfer??  My cycle resulted in a BFP - I delivered a healthy baby boy in April '08.  I'm sorry the embies aren't looking any better but i've definitely heard of lower quality embies implanting and the opposite happening as well.  I wish you the best of luck & lots of prayers - jen

[kp1212]

Thank you Jen!

I'm off to implant a baby (or two)...

k

p.s.  they plan on transferring three, assuming there are that many healthy ones left.