18/08/2026
Ever heard of egg denuding? It’s a step our embryologists use to clearly see an egg and check if it’s mature and suitable for fertilisation.
Denuding is essential for ICSI, used in make factor infertility, or when genetic embryo testing is planned and sometimes done as part of egg freezing.
💫 What actually happens in the lab 💫
→ Eggs arrive from collection: After retrieval, eggs come to the lab surrounded by a soft layer of support cells (called cumulus cells).
→ Cells are gently loosened: The eggs are briefly exposed to an enzyme that helps release these surrounding cells.
→ Careful removal: Using very fine pipettes, the embryologist gently removes the cumulus cells so the egg becomes clearly visible.
→ Rinsed and cleaned: Each egg is washed to remove any remaining cells or enzyme.
→ Maturity is assessed: With a clear view, the embryologist checks if the egg is ready for fertilisation.
This process is very precise and handled by our embryologists every step of the way.