A novel isolator-based system promotes viability of human embryos during laboratory processing.

In vitro fertilisation (IVF) and related technologies are arguably the most challenging of all cell culture applications. The starting material is a single cell from which one aims to produce an embryo capable of establishing a pregnancy eventually leading to a live birth. Laboratory processing during IVF treatment requires open manipulations of gametes and embryos, which typically involves exposure to ambient conditions.

Cytogenetic analysis of human blastocysts.

Unlabelled: The human blastocyst is key to understanding the aetiology of constitutional chromosome abnormalities in our species.

Objectives: To investigate the range and incidence of chromosome abnormalities in a large series of human blastocysts, using classic cytogenetic techniques.

Methods: Using thymidine, cell division is synchronized in spare five-to-eight-day-old human blastocysts generated by IVF.