diagnostic tools

Question 1

polar body biopsy

Answer 1

preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD); first polar body is produced from the division of the egg and can be removed and tested for its chromosome complement or to identify whether it contains the abnormal gene of concern

Question 2

when is second polar body produced?

Answer 2

upon penetration of egg by sperm, but prior to joining of the sperm’s genetic material with the egg’s genetic material, the second polar body is produced

Question 3

blastomere biopsy

Answer 3

PGD; a technique that is performed during IVF when an embryo has reached the six to eight cell stage (about 72 hours or day 3). one or two cells, or blastomeres, are separated from the rest of the embryo and removed from the zona pellucida which is the shell surrounding the developing embryo.

Question 4

what is PGD for?

Answer 4

determining:

chromosome number; genetic mutation; chromosome abnormalities; tissue typing; gender selection

Question 5

what is involved in implantation?

Answer 5

ovulation; sperm penetration; embryo formation; implantation

Question 6

how is pregnancy dated?

Answer 6

fertilization age or menstrual age

Question 7

fertilization age

Answer 7

embryologist; based on embryo age

Question 8

menstrual age

Answer 8

obstetricians and clinicians:

based on first day of menses; 2 weeks greater than the fertilization age

Question 9

chronic anovulation treatment

Answer 9

ovulation induction; FSH, LH and other stimulation, start on cycle day three

Question 10

when is IVF and embryo transfer indicated?

Answer 10

male infertility: inadequate number or mobility of spermatozoa
tubal factor: obstruction of uterine tubes

Question 11

Steps of IVF and embryo transfer

Answer 11

1 hormonal stimulation of egg maturation

2. removal of eggs by laparoscopy
3. collection of sperm sample and concentration of most active sperm
4. in vitro fertilization
5. early cleavage in vitro
6. extra embryos frozen
7. remplantation of up to three embryos

Question 12

how is gamete production stimulated?

Answer 12

clomiphen citrate, human menopausal gonadotropins (hMGs), GnRH

Question 13

clomiphen citrate

Answer 13

non-steroidal anti-estrogenic agent. induces multiple ovulation and multiple offspring. More FSH. more eggs.

Question 14

GnRH

Answer 14

gonadotropin releasing hormone to stimulate pituitary gland

Question 15

hCG

Answer 15

mimic LH. taken as intramuscular injection and are used to induce the final maturational changes in the eggs and prepare them for retrieval. most commonly prescribed are Pregnyl, Profasi and Novarel

Question 16

obtaining gametes

Answer 16

spermatozoa: collected by masturbation (or aspiration if real problem)
egg retrieval: ultrasound guided needle aspiration

Question 17

how to store sperm?

Answer 17

glycerinated preparation to the temperature of liquid nitrogen

Question 18

egg storage

Answer 18

eggs are frozen

Question 19

immature egg culture

Answer 19

harvest eggs that are immature can either be cultured to maturity or frozen to be cultured later