A biopsy pipette is a micromanipulation instrument used to aspirate cells from an embryo for preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) — specifically PGT-A (testing for aneuploidies), PGT-M (monogenic conditions), and PGT-SR (structural rearrangements). The biopsy procedure removes a small number of cells from the embryo for genetic analysis whilst leaving the embryo intact and viable for transfer.
At the blastocyst stage, which is now the most common timing for biopsy in IVF practice, trophectoderm cells herniate through a small breach in the zona pellucida created by an infrared laser pulse. The biopsy pipette is used to aspirate a cluster of three to five trophectoderm cells through the breach, using a gentle aspiration and shearing motion to separate the target cells from the rest of the trophectoderm without damaging the inner cell mass. At the cleavage stage (Day 3), a narrower bore pipette is used to aspirate one or two individual blastomeres.
The bore diameter of the biopsy pipette is matched to the target cell type — trophectoderm cell clusters require a wider internal diameter than single blastomere aspiration. The holding pipette immobilises the embryo throughout the procedure. Cryolab supplies biopsy pipettes and the complete IVF micro pipette range for clinical embryology. Contact Cryolab for pipette selection guidance.
