Do age and extended culture affect the architecture of the zona pellucida of human oocytes and embryos?

Zygote ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suha S. Kilani ◽  
Simon Cooke ◽  
Andrew K. Kan ◽  
Michael G. Chapman
Keyword(s):  
Zona Pellucida ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Polarized Light ◽  
Female Age ◽  
Extended Culture ◽  
Younger Women ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Advanced Female Age ◽  
Two Age Groups

Advanced female age and extended in vitro culture have both been implicated in zona pellucida (ZP) hardening and thickening. This study aimed to determine the influence of (i) the woman's age and (ii) prolonged in vitro culture of embryos on ZP thickness and density using non-invasive polarized light (LC-PolScope) microscopy. ZP thickness and density (measured as retardance) were determined in oocytes, embryos and blastocysts in women undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in two age groups (older, >38 years; younger, ≤38 years). A total of 193 oocytes from 29 patients were studied. The younger group contained 100 oocytes and the older group 93 oocytes. The ZP was significantly thicker in metaphase II oocytes in the older group compared with the younger group (mean ± SD: 24.1 ± 2.5 μm vs 23.1 ± 3.3 μm; p = 0.01) but ZP density was equal (2.8 ± 0.7 nm). By day 2 of culture, embryos from the two groups had similar ZP thickness (22.2 ± 2.2 μm vs 21.7 ± 1.6 μm; p = 0.28) and density (2.9 ± 0.7 nm vs 2.8 ± 0.8 nm; p = 0.57). For the embryos cultured to blastocyst (older: n = 20; younger: n = 18) ZP thickness was similar in the two groups (19.2 ± 2.7 μm vs 19.1 ± 5.0 μm; p = 0.8) but thinner than on day 2. The older group had significantly denser ZP than the younger group (4.2 ± 0.5 nm vs 3.3 ± 1.0 nm, p < 0.01). Blastocysts from both groups had significantly denser ZP than their corresponding day 2 embryos (older: 4.2 ± 0.5 nm vs 2.9 ± 0.7 nm, p < 0.001; younger: 3.3 ± 1.0 nm vs 2.8 ± 0.8 nm, p = 0.013). It is concluded that there is little relationship between ZP thickness and its density as measured by polarized light microscopy. While ZP thickness decreases with extended embryo culturing, the density of the ZP increases. ZP density increases in both age groups with extended culture and, interestingly, more in embryos from older compared with younger women.

scholarly journals AGE-SPECIFIC VIEWS ON INVASIVE AND NON-INVASIVE HUMAN ENHANCEMENTS FOR COGNITIVE DECLINE

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S327-S328
Author(s):  
G Rainville ◽  
Laura Skufca ◽  
Madeline Eller
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Older Americans ◽  
Health Implications ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Two Age Groups

Abstract This research examines the degree to which younger and older Americans approve of addressing cognitive decline using either a pill-based or an implant-based intervention to restore prior functioning. Half of a probability-based online sample expressed concerns over side effects and levels of approval for a pill-based intervention whereas the remainder of the sample did so for a relatively invasive implant-based enhancement (data were interviews of 2,025 American adults gathered by NORC’s AmeriSpeak panel as part of the AARP Human Enhancements study). We predicted and found that relative disapproval of the implant-based intervention was only significant among those with high concerns over side effects. However, when looking at two age groups for which cognitive decline differed in salience, relative disapproval of the implant-based enhancements were relatively stronger for those 50 and older even among those with few concerns over side effects. This age-based aversion to invasive forms of enhancements may have public health implications in that the subgroup who may most-immediately benefit from the enhancement and may be in the market for only non-invasive enhancements. It is not clear if such enhancements, however, could be delivered via a pill or other non-invasive forms.

scholarly journals Micronutrient-fortified rice can be a significant source of dietary bioavailable iron in schoolchildren from rural Ghana

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. eaau0790 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. S. Hackl ◽  
A. R. Abizari ◽  
C. Speich ◽  
H. Zungbey-Garti ◽  
C. I. Cercamondi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Iron Deficiency ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Iron Bioavailability ◽  
Dietary Iron ◽  
Tropical Regions ◽  
Enhanced Absorption ◽  
Stable Isotopic ◽  
Isotopic Incorporation ◽  
Two Age Groups

Iron deficiency and anemia are prominent contributors to the preventable disease burden worldwide. A substantial proportion of people with inadequate dietary iron rely on rice as a staple food, but fortification efforts are limited by low iron bioavailability. Furthermore, using high iron fortification dosages may not always be prudent in tropical regions. To identify alternative fortification formulations with enhanced absorption, we screened different iron compounds for their suitability as rice fortificants, measured in vitro gastric solubility, and assessed dietary iron bioavailability using stable isotopic labels in rural Ghanaian children. Isotopic incorporation in red blood cells indicates that in the two age groups of children investigated (4 to 6 and 7 to 10 years), formulations provided 36 and 51% of the median daily requirement in absorbed iron, respectively. We describe approaches to enhancing iron bioavailability from fortified rice, which can substantially contribute to the prevention of iron deficiency in rice-eating populations.

scholarly journals Evaluation of equine oocyte developmental competence using polarized light microscopy

Reproduction ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 153 (6) ◽  
pp. 775-784 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Bertero ◽  
F Ritrovato ◽  
F Evangelista ◽  
V Stabile ◽  
R Fortina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Light Microscopy ◽  
Zona Pellucida ◽  
Light Microscope ◽  
Polarized Light ◽  
Developmental Competence ◽  
Immature Oocytes ◽  
Oocyte Developmental Competence ◽  
Morphological Evaluation ◽  
Meiotic Competence

The purpose of this study was to observe in vitro-matured equine oocytes with an objective computerized technique that involves the use of a polarized light microscope (PLM) in addition to the subjective morphological evaluation obtained using a classic light microscope (LM). Equine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs, n = 922) were subjected to different in vitro maturation times (24, 36 or 45 h), however, only 36-h matured oocytes were analyzed using CLM. The 36-h matured oocytes that reached maturity were parthenogenetically activated to evaluate the quality and meiotic competence. Average maturation percentages per session in groups 1, 2 and 3 (24-, 36- and 45-h matured oocytes respectively) were 29.31 ± 13.85, 47.01 ± 9.90 and 36.62 ± 5.28%, whereas the average percentages of immature oocytes per session were 28.78 ± 20.17, 7.83 ± 5.51 and 22.36 ± 8.39% respectively. The zona pellucida (ZP) birefringent properties were estimated and correlated with activation outcome. ZP thickness and retardance of the inner layer of the zona pellucida (IL-ZP) were significantly increased in immature oocytes compared with mature oocytes (P < 0.001 and P < 0.01 respectively). The comparison between parthenogenetically activated and non-activated oocytes showed a significant increase in the area and thickness of the IL-ZP in parthenogenetically activated oocytes (P < 0.01). These results show that the 36-h in vitro maturation (IVM) protocol allowed equine oocytes to reach maturity, and PLM observation of ZP can be used to distinguish mature and immature oocytes as well as activated and non-activated oocytes.

scholarly journals Application of agar-fill method to estimate compartment capacity of gastrointestinal tract in Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auretus)

1996 ◽  
Vol 76 (6) ◽  
pp. 833-840 ◽  
Author(s):  
Osamu Sasaki ◽  
Hisashi Shinohara ◽  
Toshihiro Yamagishi ◽  
Akira Nishida ◽  
Yutaka Mizuma
Keyword(s):  
Gastrointestinal Tract ◽  
Transit Time ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Diet Group ◽  
Laboratory Animals ◽  
Small Laboratory ◽  
Highly Correlated ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Two Age Groups

In the present study we have developed the agar-fill method for the measurement of gastrointestinal-tract capacity (GTC) to replace the in vitro water-fill method. This would estimate GTC without using complex equipment and techniques, and can be applied to the measurement of GTC for small laboratory animals. We attempted to confirm the efficiency of the agar-fill method by investigating the relationship between dietary neutral-detergent fibre (NDF) content and GTC. The digestion trials were carried out using the Syrian hamster (Mesocricefus auretus). The trials were conducted using both sexes, two age-groups and three levels of dietary NDF with a cross-classified design. The size of each gastrointestinal organ was determined as tissue weight(TW)and GTC. The DM intake, digestible DM intake, DM digestibility, NDF digestibfity, aciddetergent fibre(ADF) digestibfity and digesta transit time were also measured. GTC increased with increasing NDF content of the diets. TW responded similarly to increasing NDF content, but the response was smaller than that of GTC. DM digestibility decreased with increasing NDF content of the diet. The digestible DM intake did not decrease with increasing NDF because DM intake increased with NDF content. Digesta transit time was not shorter of the high-NDF-diet group but DM intake increased with increasing NDF content. NDF digestibility did not differ significantly between low- and medium-NDF diets. ADF digestibility was low in the low-NDF-diet group.The digestion characteristics were highly correlated with TW and GTC, except for TW of small intestine. These correlations were higher with GTC than with TW. The results of the present study confirm previous findings suggesting that the agar-fill method is a useful means of estimating GTC for small laboratory animals.

Zona pellucida birefringence and meiotic spindle visualisation of human oocytes are not influenced by IVM technology

2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 407 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marjan Omidi ◽  
Mohammad Ali Khalili ◽  
Sareh Ashourzadeh ◽  
Marzieh Rahimipour
Keyword(s):  
Zona Pellucida ◽  
Polar Body ◽  
Refractile Body ◽  
Meiotic Spindle ◽  
Human Oocytes ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Safe Technology ◽  
Maturation Rate

The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between the presence of the meiotic spindle and zona pellucida (ZP) birefringence with morphology of in vivo- and in vitro-matured human oocytes. Germinal vesicles (n = 47) and MI (n = 38) oocytes obtained from stimulated ovaries of patients undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) underwent IVM. Using a PolScope (OCTAX PolarAID; Octax, Herbon, Germany), the presence of spindles and ZP birefringence was assessed in both in vivo-matured (n = 56) and IVM (n = 56) oocytes. In addition, the morphology of each matured oocyte was evaluated microscopically. There were insignificant differences for ZP birefringence and meiotic spindle between the in vivo-matured and IVM MII oocytes. Subanalysis revealed that the rates of morphologically abnormal oocytes did not differ significantly between the two groups, except in the case of irregular shape (P = 0.001), refractile body (P = 0.001) and fragmented polar body (P = 0.03), which were higher in IVM oocytes. In the case of in vivo-matured oocytes, a significantly higher percentage of oocytes with intracytoplasmic and both intra- and extracytoplasmic abnormalities have a low birefringent ZP (P = 0.007 and P = 0.02, respectively). There was no relationship between morphological abnormalities and spindle detection. The findings suggest that clinical IVM is a safe technology that maintains the high maturation rate and integrity of oocytes. In addition, the use of the non-invasive PolScope is recommended for the detection of oocytes most suitable for ICSI.

scholarly journals EFFECT OF AGE ON SOME ASPECTS OF SULFATE METABOLISM IN THE RAT

1954 ◽  
Vol 99 (3) ◽  
pp. 283-298 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominic D. Dziewiatkowski
Keyword(s):  
Serum Proteins ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Intraperitoneal Dose ◽  
Sulfate Metabolism ◽  
Old Rats ◽  
Specific Activities ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Effect Of Age ◽  
Two Age Groups

S35-labelled sodium sulfate was administered to rats 10, 30, and 300 days old in an intraperitoneal dose of 0.3 µc. per gm. of body weight. Representative animals of each age were sacrificed 12, 24, 48, and 96 hours after injection. The concentration of sulfur-35 in the pooled sera of the 10-day-old rats was found to be strikingly higher than the level in the sera of the 30-day-old and the 300-day-old rats, while the levels of sulfur-35 in the sera of rats in the latter two age groups were similar. The difference was not explained by the differences in binding of sulfate by serum proteins. Although no binding could be detected when sulfate was added to serum in vitro, a substantial fraction, up to 80 per cent by the 96th hour, was observed to be bound after injection into the living rat. The 10-day-old rats differed from the older ones in having lower levels of serum proteins and lesser amounts of bound sulfate. The non-dialyzable sulfur-35 was associated to the largest extent with the albumin component in the sera. The age of the rats found expression in the specific activities of the sulfate-sulfur of mucopolysaccharides isolated from the skeletons, pelts, and viscera. The highest specific activities were observed in the mucopolysaccharides isolated from the tissues of the youngest rats; the lowest in those from the oldest rats. Though the maximum concentration was rapidly attained in the mucopolysaccharides from the various tissues in each of the age groups, the subsequent decreases in concentration were slow. Radiochemical analyses for sulfur-35 in ends and shafts of femurs and radioautographs of humeri supported the assumption that the labelled sulfate had been incorporated into the chondroitin sulfate of growing cartilage.

Physical parameters of bovine activated oocytes and zygotes as predictors of development success

Zygote ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Claire L. Timlin ◽  
Alexa Lynn ◽  
Lydia K. Wooldridge ◽  
Kyungjun Uh ◽  
Alan D. Ealy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Zona Pellucida ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Blastocyst Stage ◽  
Physical Parameters ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Worldwide Production ◽  
Development Methods ◽  
Further Development ◽  
Blastomere Number

Summary The worldwide production of in vitro-produced embryos in livestock species continues to grow. The current gold standard for selecting quality oocytes and embryos is morphologic assessment, yet this method is subjective and varies based on experience. There is a need for a non-invasive, objective method of selecting viable oocytes and embryos. The aim of this study was to determine if ooplasm area, diameter including zona pellucida (ZP), and ZP thickness of artificially activated oocytes and in vitro fertilized (IVF) zygotes are indicative of development success in vitro and correlated with embryo quality, as assessed by total blastomere number. Diameter affected the probability of development to the blastocyst stage in activated oocytes on day 7 (P < 0.01) and day 8 (P < 0.001), and had a tendency to affect IVF zygotes on day 8 (P = 0.08). Zona pellucida thickness affected the probability of development on day 7 (P < 0.01) and day 8 (P < 0.001) in activated oocytes, and day 8 for IVF zygotes (P < 0.05). An interaction between ZP thickness and diameter was observed on days 7 and 8 (P < 0.05) in IVF zygotes. Area did not significantly affect the probability of development, but was positively correlated with blastomere number on day 8 for IVF zygotes (P = 0.01, conditional R 2 = 0.09). Physical parameters of bovine zygotes have the potential for use as a non-invasive, objective selection method. Upon further development, methods used in this study could be integrated into embryo production systems to improve IVF success.

scholarly journals Evaluation of bovine zona pellucida characteristics in polarized light as a prognostic marker for embryonic developmental potential

Reproduction ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 141 (6) ◽  
pp. 779-787 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Koester ◽  
A Mohammadi-Sangcheshmeh ◽  
M Montag ◽  
F Rings ◽  
T Schimming ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Zona Pellucida ◽  
Polarized Light ◽  
Oocyte Quality ◽  
Developmental Competence ◽  
Blue Staining ◽  
Developmental Potential ◽  
Preimplantation Embryo Development ◽  
Intensity Parameters ◽  
Bovine Oocytes

It has previously been demonstrated that zona pellucida imaging of human oocytes using polarized light microscopy is a clinically applicable method for the noninvasive assessment of oocyte quality. This study was designed to investigate whether zona pellucida characteristics of bovine oocytes and zygotes in polarized light may similarly serve as a useful marker for developmental competence in bovine reproductive biotechnologies. Zona birefringence intensity parameters of 2862 oocytes/zygotes were objectively evaluated with an automatic analysis system and correlated with oocyte/zygote quality. In detail, immature oocytes of good quality assessed with brilliant cresyl blue staining showed significantly lower zona birefringence than poor-quality counterparts (P<0.001). Afterin vitromaturation and classification according to maturational status, the birefringence intensity parameters were significantly different in those oocytes that reached metaphase II compared with arrested stages (P<0.001). Following either parthenogenetic activation or IVF with subsequentin vitroculture in a well-of-the-well system until day 9, superior development as determined by cleavage, blastocyst formation, and hatching ability was associated with lower zona birefringence intensity parameters. When early zygote-stage embryos were selected and assorted in groups based on zona birefringence (high/medium/low), the group of embryos derived from high-birefringence zygotes displayed a significantly compromised developmental potential compared with low-birefringence zygotes. These results clearly show that developmentally competent bovine oocytes/zygotes exhibit lower zona birefringence intensity parameters. Therefore, birefringence imaging of zona pellucida is a suitable technique to predict bovine preimplantation embryo development.

scholarly journals Observational retrospective study of US national utilisation patterns and live birth rates for various ovarian stimulation protocols for in vitro fertilisation

BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. e023124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vitaly A Kushnir ◽  
Sarah K Darmon ◽  
David H Barad ◽  
Norbert Gleicher
Keyword(s):  
Live Birth ◽  
Ovarian Stimulation ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
In Vitro Fertilisation ◽  
Birth Rates ◽  
Female Age ◽  
Live Birth Rates ◽  
Natural Cycle Ivf ◽  
Minimal Stimulation

ObjectiveAlternative ovarian stimulation protocols for in vitro fertilisation (IVF) have grown in popularity. Yet, patient populations best suited for these protocols have not been defined. Our objective was, therefore, to determine national IVF utilisation patterns and live birth rates of various ovarian stimulation protocols.DesignRetrospective cohort study.SettingAcademic-affiliated private fertility centre.ParticipantsAggregate data published by Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology for autologous IVF cycles performed in the USA during 2014 and 2015 were analysed. IVF cycles were stratified based on ovarian stimulation protocol: 205 705 conventional stimulations, 4397 minimal stimulations, 2785 natural cycles and 514 in vitro maturation (IVM) cycles. Repeat cycles could not be determined in this analysis.Outcome measuresUtilisation patterns and age-specific live birth rates for various ovarian stimulation protocols.ResultsWith advancing female age, utilisation of conventional stimulation protocols decreased, while minimal stimulation and natural cycle IVF increased. Diminished ovarian reserve diagnoses were in all age groups less prevalent in patients undergoing conventional stimulation than with all other protocols. Live birth rates were highest with conventional stimulation at 42.4%, 33.1%, 22.1%, 11.7% and 3.9% for <35, 35–37, 38–40, 41–42 and >42 female age groups, respectively. The difference in live birth rates between conventional stimulation and other protocols widened with advancing age from 1.6-fold to 3.9-fold among women <35 years of age, reaching 4.4-fold to 6.6-fold among women >42 years of age.ConclusionsIn comparison to conventional stimulation IVF—minimal stimulation, natural cycle IVF and IVM protocols offer lower but still acceptable live birth rates among young women. These alternative protocols are frequently used in older women and those with diminished ovarian reserve, despite their lower live birth rates. The reasons for this apparent incongruity warrant further careful exploration.

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