Maternal physiology and blastocyst morphology are correlated with an inherent difference in peri-implantation human embryo development.

Objective: To determine what patient and embryo characteristics are correlated with the developmental potential of the peri-implantation embryo.

Design: Retrospective study.

Setting: Research laboratory.

Absence of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19 virus) within the IVF laboratory using strict patient screening and safety criteria.

Research Question: Is there a risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) viral exposure and potential cross-contamination from follicular fluid, culture media and vitrification solution within the IVF laboratory using strict patient screening and safety measures?

Design: This was a prospective clinical study. All women undergoing transvaginal oocyte retrieval were required to have a negative SARS-CoV-2 RNA test 3-5 days prior to the procedure. Male partners were not tested.

Human eggs, zygotes, and embryos express the receptor angiotensin 1-converting enzyme 2 and transmembrane serine protease 2 protein necessary for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection.

Objective: To study messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and protein expressions of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) entry receptors (angiotensin 1-converting enzyme 2 [ACE2] and CD147) and proteases (transmembrane serine protease 2 [TMPRSS2] and cathepsin L [CTSL]) in human oocytes, embryos, and cumulus (CCs) and granulosa cells (GCs).

Design: Research study.

Setting: Clinical in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment center.

A multiplex PCR genotyping assay to distinguish XX and XY tissues in sheep.

Sex is an important biological variable as many physiological as well as disease processes differ between females and males. The fundamental biological distinction between females and males starts with chromosomal sex, and the establishment of XX and XY cells and tissues. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is a simple and effective method to easily determine chromosomal or genetic sex of cells and tissues.