cleavage stage embryos

Cleavage stage embryos are early-stage embryos that have undergone rapid cell divisions following fertilization, typically from day 1 to day 3 after sperm meets egg. During this period, the single fertilized egg (zygote) divides into smaller cells called blastomeres without increasing in overall size. These stages are crucial for assessing embryo development and health in in vitro fertilization (IVF). Researchers and clinicians examine the number, size, and symmetry of these cells to determine embryo viability and potential for successful implantation in the uterus.