A Two-Step Area Based Method for Automatic Tight Segmentation of Zona Pellucida in HMC Images of Human Embryos

2005 ◽  
pp. 503-514 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam Karlsson ◽  
Niels Chr. Overgaard ◽  
Anders Heyden
Keyword(s):  
Zona Pellucida ◽  
Human Embryos

Chemical removal of the outside of the zona pellucida of day 3 human embryos has no impact on implantation rate

1993 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 187-191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J. Tucker ◽  
Nicole M. Luecke ◽  
Sharon R. Wiker ◽  
Graham Wright
Keyword(s):  
Zona Pellucida ◽  
Implantation Rate ◽  
Human Embryos

P–216 Successful pregnancies and deliveries in patients with a recurrent failure of ART treatments following artificial removal of the zona pellucida (ZP) at the pronuclear stage

2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Y Mio ◽  
K Yumoto ◽  
T Shimura ◽  
M Sugishima ◽  
M Nakaoka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Zona Pellucida ◽  
Culture Method ◽  
Oocyte Retrieval ◽  
Time Lapse ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Blastocyst Transfer ◽  
Human Embryos ◽  
Culture Methods ◽  
Conventional Culture

Abstract Study question Can a novel embryo culture method that artificially removes the ZP at the pronuclear stage yield successful pregnancy in patients with poor-quality embryos and/or blastocysts? Summary answer A blastocyst transfer after ZP-free culture can result in pregnancy for patients who cannot obtain good quality blastocysts from conventional culture methods. What is known already Perivitelline threads are been associated with the formation of cytoplasmic fragments. We had previously observed perivitelline threads in the adhesive region between the ooplasm and the ZP at the first cleavage in human embryos. We removed the ZP at the pronuclear stage in 71 abnormally fertilized oocytes (zygotes with three pronuclei), donated after conventional IVF (c-IVF), and termed them ZP-free 3PN. We found ZP-free 3PN embryos could be cultured without losing blastomere adhesions. Furthermore, the rate of good quality embryos was significantly higher in ZP-free 3PN embryos compared with ZP-intact embryos (ZP-intact 2PN/2PB and 3PN embryos; P < 0.05). Study design, size, duration This study was conducted in two cases selected among patients who underwent ART treatment in our clinic between 2018 and 2019. Cases were selected if they lacked good quality blastocysts in previous c-IVF/Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) cycles due to massive cytoplasmic fragmentation at the first and second cleavage. We performed a clinical trial of ZP-free culture from December 2019 to March 2020. Participants/materials, setting, methods Two cases were selected for this trial. Normally fertilized oocytes were grouped as ZP-free or ZP-intact. For the ZP-free group, 2PN embryos were placed in 0.125M sucrose-containing HEPES to reduce ooplasm size, then ooplasms were completely separated from ZPs by a laser and pipetting. ZP-free and ZP-intact embryos were cultured with time-lapse imaging for up to seven days. Resultant blastocysts were either transferred into uterus or cryopreserved on Day5/6/7 for future embryo transfer cycles. Main results and the role of chance The ZP-free culture method was applied to two patients (patient A and B) with recurrent failure of ART in our clinic due to poor-quality embryos and/or difficulties in obtaining good quality blastocysts. In both cases, blastocysts were successfully obtained and cryopreserved for all ZP-free culture cycles. In patient A, one good quality ZP-free blastocyst was freshly transferred five days after oocyte retrieval, and a live male baby (2925g) was delivered at 40 weeks of gestation by caesarean section). In patient B, a frozen/thawed ZP-free blastocyst transfer was conducted, and a live female baby (3225g) was delivered at 39 weeks of gestation by vaginal delivery. This shows ZP-free culturing may help obtain viable embryos in patients for which conventional in vitro culturing methods result in embryos characterized with severe cytoplasmic fragmentation and poor quality in the early cleavage stage. Limitations, reasons for caution Although successful pregnancies and deliveries were confirmed in two cases, postnatal evaluations will be absolutely necessary for infants derived from ZP-free culture. In addition, the number of trial cases needs to be expanded, however careful selection of suitable patients is necessary for this novel culture method. Wider implications of the findings: We found removing the ZP at the pronuclear stage improved embryo development and led to successful pregnancies and deliveries after blastocyst transfer. This indicates ZP-free culturing may be an effective method for decreasing cytoplasmic fragmentation caused by perivitelline threads or adhesion between the ooplasm and the zona pellucida. Trial registration number Not applicable

scholarly journals Can expelled cells/debris from a developing embryo be used for PGT?

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adva Aizer ◽  
Noa Harel-Inbar ◽  
Hagit Shani ◽  
Raoul Orvieto
Keyword(s):  
Zona Pellucida ◽  
Single Gene ◽  
Molecular Genetic ◽  
Embryo Biopsy ◽  
Human Embryos ◽  
Cell Debris ◽  
Preimplantation Genetic Testing ◽  
Blastomere Biopsy ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Genetic Results

Abstract Background Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) is offered to a wide range of structural and numerical chromosomal imbalances, with PGT- polymerase chain reaction (PCR), as the method of choice for amplifying the small DNA content achieved from the blastomere biopsy or trophectoderm (TE) biopsy, that might have a detrimental impact on embryonic implantation potential. Since human embryos cultured until Day-5–6 were noticed to expel cell debris/ fragments within the zona pellucida, we aimed to examine whether these cell debris/ fragments might be used for PGT, as an alternative to embryo biopsy. Methods Blastocysts, which their Day-3 blastomere biopsy revealed an affected embryo with single-gene defect, and following hatching leaved cell debris/fragments within the zona pellucida were analyzed. Each blastocyst and its corresponding cell debris/fragments were separated and underwent the same molecular analysis, based on multiplex PCR programs designed for haplotyping using informative microsatellites markers. The main outcome measure was the intra-embryo congruity of Day-3 blastomere biopsy and its corresponding blastocyst and cell debris/fragments. Results Fourteen affected embryos from 9 women were included. Only 8/14 (57.2%) of embryos demonstrated congruent molecular genetic results between Day-3 embryo and its corresponding blastocyst and cell debris/fragments. In additional 6/14 (42.8%) embryos, molecular results of the Day-3 embryos and their corresponding blastocysts were congruent, while the cell debris/fragments yielded no molecular diagnoses (incomplete diagnoses). Conclusions It might be therefore concluded, that in PGT cycles, examining the cell debris/fragments on Day-4, instead of Day-3 blastomere or Day-5 TE biopsies, is feasible and might avoid embryo biopsy with its consequent detrimental effect on embryos’ implantation potential. Whenever the latter results in incomplete diagnosis, TE biopsy should be carried out on Day-5 for final genetic results. Further large well-designed studies are required to validate the aforementioned PGT platform.

scholarly journals Vitrification of Human Embryos After Manipulation with Zona Pellucida

2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 184-184
Author(s):  
Taisiia A. Yurchuk ◽  
◽  
Maryna P. Petrushko ◽  
Volodymyr I. Piniaiev ◽  
Natalya A. Buderatska ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Zona Pellucida ◽  
Human Embryos

Immunosuppression supports implantation of zona pellucida dissected human embryos

1990 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 662-665 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacques Cohen ◽  
Henry Malter ◽  
Carlene Elsner ◽  
Hilton Kort ◽  
Joe Massey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Zona Pellucida ◽  
Human Embryos

Is the zona pellucida thickness of human embryos influenced by women's age and hormonal levels?

2012 ◽  
Vol 98 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanna Balakier ◽  
Agata Sojecki ◽  
Gelareh Motamedi ◽  
Siamak Bashar ◽  
Rodica Mandel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Zona Pellucida ◽  
Human Embryos ◽  
Hormonal Levels
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