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Chapter 27 - Artificial Oocyte Activation for IVF

from Section 4 - Insemination/ICSI

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 August 2023

By
Thomas Ebner
Edited by
Markus H. M. Montag  and
Dean E. Morbeck
Markus H. M. Montag
Affiliation:
ilabcomm GmbH, St Augustin, Germany
Dean E. Morbeck
Affiliation:
Kindbody Inc, New York City
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Summary

The implementation of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in the field of assisted reproduction has allowed fertilization in couples with previous fertilization failure. However, complete fertilization failure after ICSI shows a prevalence of up to 3%. Moreover, low or moderate fertilization (<30%) can be observed for some patients. In such cycles of bad prognosis, the underlying problem is most likely related to a failure of oocyte activation. In vivo, a sperm-derived enzyme mediates the physiological stimulus of the complex process of oocyte activation. In vitro, a complete fertilization failure can eventually be compensated by several artificial oocyte activation (AOA) techniques, all of which aim for an increase in internal Ca²⁺. AOA is only applied with the proper indication and not as a routine method. The lack of standardized AOA methodologies led to the development and launch of a ready-to-use AOA solution and the number of publications dealing with AOA is constantly increasing. This chapter describes a proven protocol for AOA that has been used in clinical practice for more than two decades.

Keywords

ICSIfertilizationoocyte activationcalcium ionophoresperm oocyte
Type
Chapter
Information
Principles of IVF Laboratory Practice
Laboratory Set-Up, Training and Daily Operation
 , pp. 201 - 206
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

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References

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