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...

The risk of viral transmissibility in assisted reproduction is still a much-debated issue, especially for hepatitis C virus (HCV). HCV is a common causative agent for parenterally transmitted viral hepatitis. In addition, it has been incriminated in other routes of transmission, including sexual transmission and nosocomial infections. The management of infertility, in association with HCV, has ...

BACKGROUND Quality control programs are necessary to maintain good clinical practice. Embryo grading has been described as one of the external quality assurance schemes. Although the evaluation of embryos is based on the assessment of morphological characteristics, considerable intra- and inter-observer variability has been described. In this multicentre study, the variability in the embryo eva...

The selection of sperm cells possessing normal morphology and motility is crucial for many assisted reproductive technologies (ART), especially for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), as sperm quality directly affects the probability of inducing healthy pregnancy. We present a novel platform for real-time quantitative analysis and selection of individual sperm cells without staining. Towar...

This paper “maps” a number of trajectories through which the conceptual contours of sex could be traced in the bioscientific discourse of Republican China. Focusing on the writings of the embryologist Zhu Xi (1899–1962), I analyze the epistemic functionality of such biological terms as ci (“biological femaleness”) and xiong (“biological maleness”) that acquired an unprecedented scope of cultura...

Background: Recently, it has been found that exposure of sperm to PVP may cause submicroscopic changes in sperm structure and the sperm nucleus. The PVPinduced nuclear damage may have been due to breakdown of sperm membranes. Consequently, it is probable that exposure of sperm to PVP may impair embryo development. There are apparently no detailed reports regarding the specific effects of PVP on...

Abstract The development of a novel technique requires diverse team whose individuals share the same goal but who each bring different strength and aspect their personality to research/ project. A “front man” with tenacity drive vision needs support such team. To quote Aristotle “The whole is greater than sum it's parts”. This expression could be aptly applied pioneers IVF, Robert Edwards Patri...

The topic of monozygotic twinning (MT) on which the recent paper by Herranz (Herranz, 2013) focuses is indeed a fascinating one, not only for the embryologist. And, as pointed out by the author, it may on principle also be relevant for ethical discussions in the context of embryo research and stem cell work in humans. Obviously, this is the reason why the paper was published in Zygote, in spite...

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) units need to decrease multiple pregnancies without affecting their overall success rate. In this study we propose a mathematical model to evaluate an embryo’s potential ability to implant in the uterus. Embryos are graded by the embryologist based on the number of blastomeres, evenness of growth and degree of fragmentation. Therefore, the following variables were c...

Is there a really need to validate oocyte vitrification technique in an ART laboratory before establishing it in daily practice? Validation of micromanipulationbased technique, in this case oocyte vitrification, is essential prior to enlarging its use to routine practice. Oocyte vitrification is a new worldwide used technique and legal recently in France. This micromanipulation needs to be perf...