Making use of advancements in molecular biology techniques, as well as a better understanding of the human genome, researchers have identified numerous alleles (gene variants) which are associated with certain diseases. In familial cases these problematic alleles are passed on from parent to offspring. Recently, couples have elected to undergo Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) in order to...

Soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G) secretion by human preimplantation embryos in culture has been associated with successful embryo development, and therefore has potential to serve as a noninvasive marker of embryo viability. We have examined the spatial and temporal expression of HLA-G in embryos of varying developmental competence and the role of maternal factors in human embryonic HLA-G expression. Emb...

Selection of optimal quality embryos for in vitro fertilization (IVF) transfer is critical to successful live birth outcomes. Currently, embryos are chosen based on subjective assessment of morphologic developmental maturity. A non-invasive means to quantitatively measure an embryo's developmental maturity would reduce the variability introduced by the current standard. We present a method that...

BACKGROUND The respective advantages of day 3 and day 5 embryo transfer are a matter of debate. Previous comparisons did not include pronuclear stage zygote scoring and cumulative success rates (fresh and cryopreserved embryos). METHODS Patients were randomized prospectively for day 3 or day 5 embryo transfer. Day 3 embryos were selected for transfer and cryopreservation by using combined eva...

BACKGROUND Multiple pregnancies are one of the major safety concerns of in vitro fertilization (IVF) due to the increased risk of maternal and neonatal complications. Single embryo transfer is the most effective way to reduce the risk of multiple pregnancies. Selection of the embryo and optimization of the implantation environment are crucial to retain the success rate when the number of transf...

When evaluating the feasibility of a human embryo to implant in a woman uterus on In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF), one of the most important morphological parameters taken into account in the embryo selection process is the thickness of zona pellucida (i.e. the external layer of the embryo). Furthermore, the measurement of zona pellucida thickness variation is a potentially reliable parameter to e...

A positive selectable marker system was adapted for transformation of mature embryo-derived calli of Indica rice (Oryza sativa L.) utilizing the PMI gene encoding for phosphomannose-isomerase that converts mannose-6-phosphate to fructose-6-phosphate. The transformed cells grew on medium supplemented with 3% mannose as carbon source and calli were selected on media containing various concentrati...

A series of new technologies and adjuvant therapies have been advocated in order to improve the success of IVF treatment. Dehydro-epiandrostenedione, growth hormones, Coenzyme Q 10, calcium ionosphores, immune therapy, heparin, low-dose aspirin, and vasodilators are among commonly prescribed pharmacological adjuvants. New technologies that are proposed to improve IVF outcomes include advanced s...

Recent decades were characterized by genetic selection of broiler and layer chickens for enhanced growth rate and meat yield or intensified egg production, respectively. It is to be expected that genetic selection for various traits would also influence embryo development and growth patterns that affect metabolism. The objective of the present study was to examine the effects of broiler (Cobb a...

Recent evidence shows that through best standard operating procedures, chances of successful pregnancy and live birth delivery rates are less than 50%. Repeated Implantation Failure (RIF) following transfer of one or more numbers of cleavage or blastocyst stage embryos is the main cause of low pregnancy rate in IVF cycles; therefore, finding the causes and modifying treatment protocols to incre...