Search results for "Embryo Culture Techniques"

New perspectives in medically assisted procreation.

2008

One for all or all for one? The evolution of embryo morphokinetics

2017

Similar morphokinetic patterns in embryos derived from obese and normoweight infertile women: a time-lapse study.

2013

Study question Does female obesity affect the dynamic parameters of embryo quality assessed by time-lapse analysis? Summary answer Female obesity does not affect the dynamic embryo quality as determined by image acquisition and time-lapse analysis. What is known already Female obesity impairs natural and assisted reproduction but there is no agreement on the specific contribution of gametes, embryos or endometrial receptivity. In this preliminary study the dynamic parameters of embryo quality are assessed for the first time by time-lapse analysis. Study design, size, duration Two-year cohort retrospective study comparing embryos from three groups of patients according to the presence of inf…

Changes in sex ratio from fertilization to birth in assisted-reproductive-treatment cycles

2014

Background: In Western gender-neutral countries, the sex ratio at birth is estimated to be approximately 1.06. This ratio is lower than the estimated sex ratio at fertilization which ranges from 1.07 to 1.70 depending on the figures of sex ratio at birth and differential embryo/fetal mortality rates taken into account to perform these estimations. Likewise, little is known about the sex ratio at implantation in natural and assisted-reproduction-treatment (ART) cycles. In this bioessay, we aim to estimate the sex ratio at fertilization and implantation using data from embryos generated by standard in-vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in preimplantation gene…

Differential metabolic profiling of non-pure trisomy 21 human preimplantation embryos.

2012

Objective To investigate the metabolomic signature of trisomy 21 preimplantation human embryos by a noninvasive approach using mass spectrometry– (MS-) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy– (NMR-) based metabolic profiling platforms. Design A total of 171 spent media samples were collected from day 3 embryos and comparatively analyzed by MS analysis (chromosomally normal embryos, n=15; trisomy 21 embryos, n=15) and a matched control media group (without embryo, n=14) and by NMR spectroscopy (normal embryos, n=39; trisomy 21 embryos, n=35; monosomy 21 embryos, n=24) and a matched control media group (without embryo, n=29). Setting IVF clinic/preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) uni…

Full in vitro fertilization laboratory mechanization: toward robotic assisted reproduction?

2011

Objective To describe the current efforts made to standardize different steps of assisted reproductive technology processes by the introduction of new technologies for the nonsubjective sperm selection process, oocyte denudation by mechanical removal of cumulus cells, oocyte positioning, sperm motility screening, fertilization, embryo culture, media replacement by microfluidics, and monitoring of embryo development by time-lapse photography, embryo secretions, and/or O 2 consumption. These technologies could be integrated in a unique and fully automated device. Design Pubmed database and research and development data from authors. Setting University-affiliated private center. Patient(s) Non…

Manganese interferes with calcium, perturbs ERK signaling, and produces embryos with no skeleton.

2011

Manganese (Mn) has been associated with embryo toxicity as it impairs differentiation of neural and skeletogenic cells in vertebrates. Nevertheless, information on the mechanisms operating at the cellular level remains scant. We took advantage of an amenable embryonic model to investigate the effects of Mn in biomineral formation. Sea urchin (Paracentrotus lividus) embryos were exposed to Mn from fertilization, harvested at different developmental stages, and analyzed for their content in calcium (Ca), expression of skeletogenic genes, localization of germ layer markers, and activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). By optical and immunofluorescence microscopy, we found…

The type of GnRH analogue used during controlled ovarian stimulation influences early embryo developmental kinetics: a time-lapse study

2013

OBJECTIVE: To explore if the GnRH analogue used for controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) and the ovulation triggering factor (GnRH agonist + hCG triggering versus GnRH antagonist + GnRH agonist triggering) affect embryo development and kinetics.STUDY DESIGN: In a retrospective cohort study in the Instituto Valenciano de Infertilidad (IVI) Alicante and the Instituto Universitario-IVI Valencia, Spain, 2817 embryos deriving from 400 couples undergoing oocyte donation were analysed. After controlled ovarian stimulation and IVF/intracytoplamic sperm injection, the timing of embryonic cleavages was assessed by a video time-lapse system. The results were analysed using Student's t test for compari…

Embryo culture: can we perform better than nature?

2010

Culture of preimplantation-stage embryos has always been a key element of laboratory embryology and has contributed substantially to the success of many assisted reproduction procedures. During the past decade, its importance has increased as extended in-vitro embryo culture and single blastocyst transfer have become indispensable parts of the approach to decreasing the chance of multiple pregnancy while preserving the overall efficiency of the treatment. However, in spite of the scientific and commercial challenge stimulating research worldwide to optimize embryo culture conditions, a consensus is missing even in the basic principles, including composition and exchange of media, the requir…

Beneficial Effect of Two Culture Systems with Small Groups of Embryos on the Development and Quality of In Vitro-Produced Bovine Embryos

2014

Summary Currently, in vitro-produced embryos derived by ovum pick up (OPU) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) technologies represent approximately one-third of the embryos worldwide in cattle. Nevertheless, the culture of small groups of embryos from an individual egg donor is an issue that OPU-IVF laboratories have to face. In this work, we tested whether the development and quality of the preimplantation embryos in vitro cultured in low numbers (five embryos) could be improved by the addition of epidermal growth factor, insulin, transferrin and selenium (EGF-ITS) or by the WOW system. With this aim, immature oocytes recovered from slaughtered heifers were in vitro matured and in vitro ferti…