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Analysis of the Zona Pellucida as an Indicator of Oocyte Developmental Potential

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Human Gametes and Preimplantation Embryos

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Abstract

In human-assisted reproductive technologies (ART) the search for parameters to assess the quality and developmental potential of human gametes and embryos is of great importance. There is a clear need to gather as much information as possible in order to allow for identification of those gametes or embryos which may finally implant and give birth to a healthy child. Although experience is a key factor in embryology, the overall trend is to replace subjective judgment and decision making with objective devices which assist in the process of gamete and embryo classification. The technology of such a device should rely on physiological properties, it should be easy to use, and should include an automatic user interface which will facilitate acceptance in the daily routine laboratory work. A technique which is available in all embryology laboratories is microscopy. Different microscopic technologies can be used to visualize subcellular structures within cells. One such technology is polarization microscopy.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. IVF Laboratory, Department of Gynecological Endocrinology & Fertility Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany

    Markus Montag

  2. Independent Image Processing IT Professional, Munich, Germany

    Thomas Schimming

  3. Department Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany

    Maria Köster

Authors
  1. Markus Montag
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  2. Thomas Schimming
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  3. Maria Köster
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Markus Montag .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Melbourne, Department of Zoology, Royal Parade, Melbourne, 3010, Victoria, Australia

    David K. Gardner

  2. Boston IVF, Second Ave. 130, Waltham, 02451, Massachusetts, USA

    Denny Sakkas

  3. Yale School of Medicine, Dept. of Ob/Gyn & Reproductive Sciences, Cedar St. 333, New Haven, 06510, Connecticut, USA

    Emre Seli

  4. Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University of Oxford, Nuffield Department of, Garsington Road, Oxford, OX4 2HW, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom

    Dagan Wells

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Montag, M., Schimming, T., Köster, M. (2013). Analysis of the Zona Pellucida as an Indicator of Oocyte Developmental Potential. In: Gardner, D., Sakkas, D., Seli, E., Wells, D. (eds) Human Gametes and Preimplantation Embryos. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6651-2_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6651-2_2

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-6650-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-6651-2

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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