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Rahul Manoj: The Hidden Role of pH and Osmolality in Embryo Culture
Oct 21, 2025, 10:12

Rahul Manoj: The Hidden Role of pH and Osmolality in Embryo Culture

Rahul Manoj, Senior Embryologist at Best Life Fertility Center, shared a post on LinkedIn:

Day 21: The Hidden Role of pH and Osmolality in Embryo Culture 

Beyond temperature and CO₂, two silent parameters — pH and osmolality — critically influence embryo health and developmental success.
Even slight deviations in these values can cause metabolic stress, altered ion gradients, and impaired cleavage rates.

pH Control:

  • Optimal range: 7.2–7.4 for most human embryo culture media.
  • CO₂ concentration, bicarbonate buffering, and even the dish opening frequency can alter pH.
  • Prolonged exposure of media outside the incubator leads to CO₂ loss and alkalinization, affecting embryo physiology.

Osmolality:

  • Maintained between 260–285 mOsm/kg in culture media.
  • Evaporation, especially in low-humidity incubators, can rapidly increase osmolality, stressing embryos.
  • Use of oil overlay minimizes fluctuation.”

Rahul Manoj