Centre for Assisted Reproduction, Coventry
Indicators of Oocyte and Embryo Development (R0155)
Licence holder: Dr Geraldone Hartshorne
The purpose of this investigation is to identify and characterize particular markers of egg and embryo development with a view to improving our ability to identify embryos which are developing normally or abnormally.
Certain features of embryos will be studied at different stages of development, firstly to provide baseline information on key developmental aspects of eggs and embryos and secondly to allow us to test the effects of particular techniques or conditions in vitro upon the markers selected.
We will look at various markers, including some which are purely observational and others which will assess the chromosomal structure and the genetic control of the eggs and embryos using invasive experimental techniques.
The eggs and embryos to be tested will have been produced in different ways, for example, for some, the final stages of maturity will have been gained under laboratory conditions; whereas in others this stage will have occurred in the body. Some embryos will have had micromanipulation to remove damaged areas, whereas others will not. The effects of such handling upon the selected markers will be studied.
Only eggs and embryos that are no longer required by the patients or are of no use in their treatment and would otherwise be discarded will be used in this project.
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Page last updated: 11 April 2009