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Zona manipulation in an assisted reproductive technologies (ART) programme
Y Odawara1, K Matsumoto, S Shinozuka
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (Tokyo, Japan)
|February 1, 1995
Summary
Aged human oocytes retain their ability to fuse with sperm even after two days. Zona pellucida manipulation, such as removal or thinning, can improve in vitro fertilization rates, especially in cases of male infertility.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- In Vitro Fertilization
Background:
- Oocyte aging can negatively impact fertilization success.
- The zona pellucida plays a crucial role in sperm-oocyte interaction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the fertilization capacity of aged human oocytes after zona pellucida treatment.
- To determine if zona pellucida manipulation can enhance in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes in aged oocytes.
Main Methods:
- Aged oocytes (1-2 days old) from IVF programs were treated with pronase to remove or thin the zona pellucida.
- Oocytes were inseminated with varying sperm concentrations.
- Fertilization rates (monospermic and polyspermic) were assessed.
Main Results:
- Aged oocytes, even after two days, demonstrated the ability to fuse with spermatozoa.
- Zona pellucida removal or thinning significantly increased fertilization rates compared to conventional reinsemination.
- Monospermic fertilization rates were improved by controlling sperm concentration during insemination.
Conclusions:
- Human aged oocytes maintain their fusion competence with sperm.
- Zona pellucida manipulation is a promising strategy to improve in vitro fertilization in cases of oocyte aging and severe male factor infertility.