The polar bodies are derived from meiotic divisions during oogenesis and are contained together with the oocyte within the zona pellucida. Fertilisation triggers the second meiotic division, at which time the second polar body (PB2) is formed (Hogan et al., 1986; Schatten et al., 1988; Johnson & Everitt, 1995) There is no clear evidence on the fate of the polar bodies in any mammal including the mouse, which is the commonly used research model. However, the polar bodies are generally considered as waste material, and therefore not essential to embryo development. In recent years the polar bodies have gained prominence as they have been used in humans for pre-implantation genetic diagnostic purposes (PGD), of single gene disorders, such as determining whether an embryo may have inherited the cystic fibrosis allele from its mother (Munne et al., 1995; Strom et al., 1998; Rechitsky et al., 2000). PB2 also has a potential use in cloning, for the harvesting of stem cells. Wakayama et al. (1997) have shown that PB2 has the same genetic potential as the female pronuclei and can be used for the production of normal offspring in mice. The successful use of PB2 for these purposes is dependent on its age, for its longevity, rate and nature of degeneration has yet to be determined. While there is little doubt that the first polar body (PB1) experiences a necrotic fate, the same cannot be said for PB2, which may experience an apoptotic fate. Furthermore if PB2 experiences an apoptotic fate rather than a necrotic one, it would not only be the earliest evidence of apoptosis in a mammal but also provide an excellent research model for the study of apoptosis.
Rapid protocol for pre-conception genetic diagnosis of single gene mutations by first polar body analysis: a possible solution for the Italian patients