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Birefringence parameter available for quantitative analysis of human zona hardness

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 July 2010

Hiroshi Iwayama ,
Shinichi Hochi  and
Masanori Yamashita
Hiroshi Iwayama*
Affiliation:
Yamashita Ladies’ Clinic, Kobe, Hyogo 651–0086, Japan.
Shinichi Hochi
Affiliation:
Faculty of Textile Science and Technology, Shinshu University, Ueda, Nagano 386–8567, Japan.
Masanori Yamashita
Affiliation:
Yamashita Ladies’ Clinic, Kobe, Hyogo 651–0086, Japan.
*
All correspondence to: Hiroshi Iwayama. Yamashita Ladies’ Clinic, Kobe, Hyogo 651–0086, Japan. Tel: +81 78 265 6475. Fax: +81 78 265 6476. e-mail: hiwayama@hotmal.co.jp
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Summary

This study was designed to investigate whether a non-invasive birefringence parameter, determined using the Oosight™ imaging system, is useful for estimating the hardness of human zona pellucida (ZP). The value for retardance (R) × thickness (T), but not R or T alone, of ZP was positively correlated (r = 0.92, p < 0.0001) with its hardness estimated by the time required for a 0.1% protease solution to solubilize ZP at 37 °C. In a model experiment to induce ZP puncture by Fluorinert™ fluid microinjection (sham-hatching), the R × T value at the punctured site was positively correlated (r = 0.78, p < 0.01) with the hardness of the ZP as estimated by the maximum expansion rate. The R × T values of ZP in in vitro fertilization-derived embryos (21.6 ± 7.5) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection-derived embryos (20.8 ± 6.3) were significantly higher than that in unfertilized metaphase II oocytes (16.6 ± 6.1; p < 0.05). The R × T value after in vitro hatching of viable blastocysts (10.8 ± 6.2) was significantly lower than that of unexpanded morulae and early blastocysts (19.0 ± 4.0; p < 0.05), while the value of expanding blastocysts (15.3 ± 4.1) was intermediate. In conclusion, hardness of human ZP can be estimated non-invasively by birefringence-based microscopic observation.

Keywords

BirefringenceHatchingHuman ARTRetardanceZona hardness
Type
Research Article
Information
Zygote , Volume 19 , Issue 4 , November 2011 , pp. 323 - 329
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2010

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