The laboratory plays a central role in every Medically Assisted Reproduction (MAR) treatment. This is where gametes are handled, fertilisation takes place, and embryos are monitored during the early stages of their development, until they are transferred or cryopreserved.
For this reason, alongside the expertise of embryologists, well-defined procedures, identification and traceability systems, and dedicated technologies for monitoring biological samples are essential.
Next Fertility ProCrea has an IVF Laboratory and a Semen Analysis Laboratory, where specialist expertise and dedicated technologies support the different stages of infertility diagnosis and treatment.
In the IVF laboratory, oocytes, sperm and embryos are handled throughout the different stages of an assisted reproduction treatment.
The correct identification and traceability of biological samples are therefore essential aspects of the laboratory’s daily activities.
To support these processes, Next Fertility ProCrea has been using RI-Witness® since 2022, an electronic system designed for sample identification and traceability. The laboratory is also equipped with EmbryoScope®, which enables embryo development to be monitored using time-lapse technology.
These technologies are complemented by a quality management system that complies with the requirements of the ISO 15189:2022 standard.
During a Medically Assisted Reproduction (MAR) treatment, oocytes, sperm and embryos go through several stages within the laboratory. Correct identification and traceability are therefore integral to the procedures carried out by embryologists.
Next Fertility ProCrea uses RI-Witness®, an electronic system based on RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology that supports the identification of materials associated with each patient’s treatment.
During laboratory procedures, the system verifies that the samples involved are correctly matched. If materials that are not associated with the same treatment are detected simultaneously in the work area, RI-Witness® alerts the operator to the mismatch.
The system therefore adds an electronic control to the identification and traceability process, supporting embryologists throughout the different stages of treatment.
At key stages of the procedure (embryo transfer, insemination, oocyte retrieval and thawing), RI-Witness® is also complemented by a double-check performed by a second operator.
Alongside the correct identification of samples, the ability to monitor embryo development during culture is a key aspect of IVF laboratory practice.
Next Fertility ProCrea uses EmbryoScope®, an incubator equipped with time-lapse technology that captures images at regular intervals throughout embryo development, while keeping the embryos within the controlled culture environment during monitoring.
The images collected allow embryologists to follow the different stages of development over time and provide useful information for embryo assessment.
The information collected through EmbryoScope® is complemented by iDAScore®, an artificial intelligence-based system integrated with time-lapse technology.
iDAScore® analyses images of embryo development and assigns a score to each embryo. This information complements the assessments performed by the laboratory team: artificial intelligence supports the work of embryologists without replacing their expertise and professional judgement.
The quality of a Medically Assisted Reproduction laboratory depends not only on the technologies it uses, but also on procedures, professional expertise and management systems that are subject to independent assessment.
Next Fertility ProCrea is accredited according to the international ISO 15189:2022 standard (SMTS 0048) as a medical laboratory for reproductive medicine testing. The accreditation is granted by the Swiss Accreditation Service (SAS), Switzerland’s national accreditation body, which is part of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).
ISO 15189 defines the quality and competence requirements for medical laboratories and covers the different stages of the laboratory process, from patient preparation and sample collection through the analytical phase to the post-analytical phase. The aspects assessed also include process traceability, staff competence and training, risk management and continuous improvement.
For patients, this means relying on a laboratory whose expertise and quality management system are assessed according to internationally recognised standards.
During an assisted reproduction treatment, the IVF laboratory plays a key role in some of the most delicate stages of the process. From handling oocytes and sperm to embryo transfer or cryopreservation, each step requires well-defined procedures and the correct identification of biological samples.
After oocyte retrieval, the oocytes are transferred to the IVF laboratory, where they are identified and prepared for the subsequent stages of treatment. At the same time, the semen sample is processed according to the treatment plan established for each patient.
Throughout the laboratory procedures, RI-Witness® supports sample identification and traceability.
The oocytes are fertilised using the technique indicated for the treatment, such as IVF or ICSI. The resulting embryos are then cultured under controlled conditions.
Using EmbryoScope®, embryologists can monitor embryo development through time-lapse technology.
During the days of culture, the embryology team monitors and assesses the development of the embryos.
iDAScore® may also be used to support this process. It analyses the images collected through time-lapse technology and provides additional information to complement the embryologists’ assessment.
Depending on the clinical treatment plan and embryo development, an embryo may be transferred to the uterus, while suitable embryos may be cryopreserved for potential future use.
Alongside the IVF laboratory, Next Fertility ProCrea has a Semen Analysis Laboratory dedicated to the assessment of male fertility and to laboratory activities related to Medically Assisted Reproduction treatments.
The laboratory works in collaboration with the Clinical Andrology Service, headed by Dr Giovanni M. Colpi, and with biologists specialising in reproductive medicine.
The activities of the Semen Analysis Laboratory include the analysis and storage of semen samples, as well as laboratory support for different Medically Assisted Reproduction procedures.
Semen analysis (spermiogram) is one of the main diagnostic tests used to assess male fertility and allows several sperm parameters to be evaluated.
The Semen Analysis Laboratory performs the analyses required to assess semen samples and, when indicated, also provides laboratory support during the subsequent stages of Medically Assisted Reproduction.
The Next Fertility ProCrea Semen Analysis Laboratory is authorised to provide sperm cryopreservation and sperm banking.
Sperm cells are stored in liquid nitrogen at temperatures below −196°C, under conditions that allow them to be preserved for potential future use.
Cryopreservation may be indicated, for example, for patients with severe oligospermia or in cases of azoospermia, when sperm cells are retrieved directly through surgical procedures such as MESA, TESE or MicroTESE.
In cases of male infertility, hereditary or infectious diseases, or repeated IVF/ICSI failures, Next Fertility ProCrea has a sperm bank containing cryopreserved semen samples from selected donors.
Donor sperm from the sperm bank may be used for intrauterine insemination with donor sperm or IVF with donor sperm, according to the treatment plan identified by the specialists.
Under Swiss federal law, patients must be married in order to access the sperm bank at Next Fertility ProCrea.
In the IVF laboratory at Next Fertility ProCrea, the identification and traceability of biological samples are supported by the RI-Witness® electronic system. This technology associates the materials used during treatment with each patient and verifies that they are correctly matched throughout laboratory procedures.
RI-Witness® is an electronic identification and traceability system used in Medically Assisted Reproduction laboratories.
Using RFID technology, it identifies the materials associated with each treatment and verifies that they are correctly matched. If materials that are not associated with the same treatment are detected simultaneously in the work area, the system alerts the operator to the mismatch.
Next Fertility ProCrea has been using RI-Witness® since 2022.
Next Fertility ProCrea uses RI-Witness® as an electronic system to support the identification and traceability of gametes and embryos during laboratory procedures.
The system verifies that samples are correctly matched and alerts the operator if any mismatch is detected.
No. In the Next Fertility ProCrea laboratory, artificial intelligence-based tools such as iDAScore® support the work of embryologists but do not replace their professional assessment.
The system analyses images of embryo development and assigns a score to each embryo, providing additional information that the team can use alongside their professional evaluation.
ISO 15189:2022 is an international standard for quality and competence in medical laboratories.
Accreditation involves an independent assessment against the requirements of the standard and covers areas such as the management of biological samples, process traceability, staff competence and training, risk management and continuous improvement.
Next Fertility ProCrea has been accredited according to ISO 15189 since 2020 and updated its accreditation to the ISO 15189:2022 version in 2025.
Medically Assisted Reproduction laboratories use specific identification and traceability systems to prevent the risk of embryos or other biological samples being mixed up.
In the IVF laboratory at Next Fertility ProCrea, we use the RI-Witness® electronic system to identify and track oocytes, sperm and embryos throughout the different stages of Medically Assisted Reproduction treatment. The system verifies that samples are correctly matched to the couple and helps prevent potential identification errors during laboratory procedures.
