Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 10, 2026

12:11
Analysis of Chromosome Segregation, Histone Acetylation, and Spindle Morphology in Horse Oocytes
Published on: May 11, 2017
[Genetics of first polar body]
1Service d'Histologie-Embryologie, Biologie de la reproduction, cytogénétique et Génétique médicale, Centre hospitalier intercommunal de Poissy/Saint Germain en Laye, 10, Rue du Champ Gaillard, 78300 Poissy, France.
Summary
New techniques using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and assisted reproductive technology (ART) can identify oocyte aneuploidy. This allows for the selection of viable oocytes, potentially reducing implantation failures.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Genetics
- Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)
Context:
- Oocyte aneuploidy, an abnormal chromosome number, is a significant cause of implantation failure in assisted reproduction.
- Current methods for assessing oocyte quality have limitations in detecting all chromosomal abnormalities.
Purpose:
- To introduce a novel technique for comprehensive chromosomal analysis of the oocyte.
- To evaluate the potential of analyzing the second polar body for complete chromosome assessment.
Summary:
- Development of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and ART methods to detect aneuploidy in the second polar body.
- This approach enables complete chromosome analysis of the oocyte, moving beyond polar body assessment alone.
- The study focuses on identifying and selecting chromosomally normal oocytes to improve implantation success.
Impact:
- Potential to significantly improve success rates in ART by enabling precise oocyte selection.
- Offers a more accurate method for diagnosing oocyte aneuploidy, reducing the risk of implantation failure.
- Advances the field of reproductive genetics by providing a tool for comprehensive oocyte assessment.
Related Concept Videos
Oogenesis
In human women, oogenesis produces one mature egg cell or ovum for every precursor cell that enters meiosis. This process differs in two unique ways from the equivalent procedure of spermatogenesis in males. First, meiotic divisions during oogenesis are asymmetric, meaning that a large oocyte (containing most of the cytoplasm) and minor polar body are produced as a result of meiosis I, and again following meiosis II. Since only oocytes will go on to form embryos if fertilized, this unequal...
Oogenesis
Oogenesis, the process of developing egg cells (female gametes), occurs within the ovaries and is fundamental to female fertility. This sequence begins during fetal development when diploid oogonia in the developing ovaries undergo mitotic divisions to produce primary oocytes. By birth, these primary oocytes enter prophase I of meiosis but become arrested in this stage, remaining suspended until puberty.
Each primary oocyte is surrounded by a layer of pre-granulosa cells, forming what is known...
Each primary oocyte is surrounded by a layer of pre-granulosa cells, forming what is known...
Meiosis I
Meiosis is a carefully orchestrated set of cell divisions, the goal of which—in humans—is to produce haploid sperm or eggs, each containing half the number of chromosomes present in somatic cells elsewhere in the body. Meiosis I is the first such division, and involves several key steps, among them: condensation of replicated chromosomes in diploid cells; the pairing of homologous chromosomes and their exchange of information; and finally, the separation of homologous chromosomes by a...
Meiosis I
Meiosis is the division of a diploid cell into haploid cells forming sperm and eggs in animals through differentiation. Meiosis I is the first stage of meiosis, where the genetic recombination of homologous chromosomes and the reduction of the ploidy level by half occurs.
Prophase I is the most extended and complex step of meiosis I characterized by synapsis, chromosome pairing, and recombination of the homologous chromosomes. This process is facilitated by a proteinaceous structure called the...
Prophase I is the most extended and complex step of meiosis I characterized by synapsis, chromosome pairing, and recombination of the homologous chromosomes. This process is facilitated by a proteinaceous structure called the...
Nondisjunction
Nondisjunction is the failure of homologous chromosomes or sister chromatids to separate correctly and move to the opposite poles of the cells. This produces daughter cells with abnormal chromosome numbers. Nondisjunction is common during anaphase I or anaphase II of meiosis. Mutations in synaptonemal complex proteins that attach homologous chromosomes increase the chances of nondisjunction in anaphase I of meiosis I. In contrast, mutations in topoisomerases and condensins that hold sister...
Nondisjunction
During meiosis, chromosomes occasionally separate improperly. This occurs due to failure of homologous chromosome separation during meiosis I or failed sister chromatid separation during meiosis II. In some species, notably plants, nondisjunction can result in an organism with an entire additional set of chromosomes, which is called polyploidy. In humans, nondisjunction can occur during male or female gametogenesis and the resulting gametes possess one too many or one too few chromosomes.

