Nuclear dynamics of parthenogenesis of human oocytes: effect of oocyte aging in vitro.

We investigated in detail the nuclear kinetics of oocyte activation of aged human oocytes following combined activation treatment with calcium ionophore and puromycin. Two types of oocytes were used: (a) 1-day-old oocytes after 20-24 h retrieval, and (b) 2-day-old oocytes after 44-50 h retrieval. A total of 185 unfertilized aged oocytes, 91 1-day-old and 94 2-day-old oocytes, were fixed at 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 h after activation treatment and then metaphase II (MII), anaphase or telophase II (A/T II) or pronuclear stage were recorded.

Isolation and expression analysis of the testis-specific gene, STRA8, stimulated by retinoic acid gene 8.

Retinoids are known to be required for vertebrate reproduction, and in the male, for the maintenance of normal testicular structure and function. Previously several novel retinoic acid responsive genes, collectively designated as the Stra genes, had been isolated in the mouse. The Stra8 gene encodes a cytoplasmic protein and is expressed specific to the developing male gonad during mouse embryogenesis.

Laparoscopic treatment of endometrioma-associated infertility and pregnancy outcome.

Ovarian endometriomas do not respond well to medical treatment with hormonal suppression, and surgical removal of the endometriomas is usually required. In this study, we attempt to identify the optimal laparoscopic procedures in laparoscopic treatment of ovarian-endometrioma-associated infertility. Among cases in which patients received no IVF-ET after the laparoscopic treatment, the pregnancy rate after complete cystectomy of endometriomas was statistically lower than that after fenestration with electrocoagulation of the cyst wall.