Qualitative and morphometric analysis of the ultrastructure of human oocytes cryopreserved by two alternative slow cooling protocols.

Purpose: To ascertain possible cell damage from cryopreservation, the ultrastructure of human oocytes cryopreserved by slow cooling was assessed.

Materials And Methods: Cryopreservation was performed through two protocols with one-step or two-step propanediol. Fresh control oocytes were examined for comparison.

Impact of intracytoplasmic morphologically selected sperm injection on assisted reproduction outcome: a review.

To date, several publications have focused their attention on a new method for observing spermatozoa called 'motile sperm organelle morphology examination' (MSOME), which enables the evaluation of the fine nuclear morphology of motile spermatozoa in real time at high magnification (>x6000). As a consequence, a new microinjection procedure called intracytoplasmic morphologically selected sperm injection (IMSI) has been developed. The aim of the present work is therefore to evaluate the efficacy of the IMSI technique in the light of the current literature, focusing attention on the potential clinical application of the selection of strictly morphologically normal spermatozoa in patients undergoing conventional intracytoplasmic sperm injection treatments.

Artificial reproductive technology achievements for optimizing embryo quality.

Evaluation of morphological characteristics, to date, has been the most widely accepted method for the selection of embryos with higher developmental ability and optimization of the outcome of in vitro fertilization (IVF). Improvement in clinical results has also been pursued through attempts to generate embryos of high quality or to identify more reliable selection criteria. This work evaluates the possibility of improving embryo quality and subsequent IVF outcome in situations in which creation of supernumerary embryos is not allowed.