Researchers have said that a sophisticated new microscope will allow doctors to monitor the developing fertilised egg continuously for as many as five days.

The new equipment will allow doctors to identify any abnormal changes and thus the best quality eggs that have the best chances of creating a healthy pregnancy are transferred to the womb of the women. Doctors claim that the technique will enable one in every two couples to achieve successful pregnancy.

The image shows the egg dividing first into two cells then into four cells. It also shows cells developing embryo 'hatches' out of the egg and then it is ready to implant in the womb. The technique will also allow parents with successful pregnancy to obtain a video of this "magical" moment.

At present medical staff is required to remove the developing embyro from its incubator to examine it under a microscope. This can only be done once a day and thus means that they might mss important mistakes and abnormal changes.

According to the figures, more than 1,500 embryos from 200 patients have been monitored through the technique.