Background: Failed fertilization after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) can be due to a reduced oocyte-activation capacity caused by reduced concentrations and abnormal localization of the oocyte-activation factor phospholipase C (PLC) zeta. Patients with this condition can be helped to conceive by artificial activation of oocytes after ICSI with calcium ionophore (assisted oocyte activa...

Ochratoxin A (OTA), a mycotoxin found in many foods worldwide, causes nephrotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, and immunotoxicity, both in vitro and in vivo. In the present study, we explored the cytotoxic effects exerted by OTA on the blastocyst stage of mouse embryos, on subsequent embryonic attachment, on outgrowth in vitro, and following in vivo implantation via embryo transfer. Mouse blastocysts we...

As numerical and structural defects in chromosomes are an inevitable consequence of IVF, Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis and screening (PGD/PGS) methods are used for detecting abnormalities in embryos before implantation to the uterus to increase the successful rate of IVF. Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis and screening approaches can be achieved by different techniques such as NGS, CGH an...

I N the course of an investigation on the uptake of labelled ions by the rabbit embryo and its environment (Lutwak-Mann, Boursnell, & Bennett, 1960), experiments were done on pre-implantation blastocysts obtained from rabbits which had been treated parenterally with certain purine analogues. Histological examination of such blastocysts by the method of Moog & Lutwak-Mann (1958) showed that, as ...

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of a nitric oxide (NO) donor on embryo development in vitro and on implantation of embryos in vivo in mice. Mouse embryos (2-cell) were incubated in media containing different concentrations of diethylenetriamine/NO (DETA/NO), a nitric oxide donor, and development was monitored daily for 4 days. Specificity of NO effects was assessed by ...

Unilateral ovariectomy (ULO) and its consequences with endocrine replacement in pregnant mice are important to examine both follicular dynamics as well as the outcome of implantation and pregnancy. In mice, ovariectomy on fourth day morning (D4), before pre-implantation estrogen secretion induces delayed implantation and embryonic diapauses, i.e. a state of suspended animation of embryos. The p...

“There is many a slip twist the cup and lip” proverb that dates back to 3rd century. This comes mind while writing review on pregnancy loss; so complications can occur between fertilization development of embryo through long period gestation until successful delivery baby. These include failure implantation embryo, spontaneous miscarriage in first trimester, pre-eclampsia second premature ruptu...