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Human oocyte selection
Description
Following the introduction of law n. 40 in 2004, in Italy only theree human oocytes can be fertilized in vitro and all of them must be transferred back into the patients. Since current procedures for the stimulation of the ovarian activity lead to the recovery of more than three oocytes,clinical embryologists must select which are those more suitable to be fertilized. Current selection methods are based mainly on morphological criteria which are often inadequate. AIm of our research is to develop a not invasive method for the selection of the oocytes with the highest developmental competence based on the expression level of specific genes found in cumulus cells. These cells, in fact,are closely associated with the oocytes and somehow reflect theri develomental competence. Moreover they are not required for the fertilization process and are routinely discarded. We are identifying the most relevant genes to be analysed and we are developing methods that allow the clinical embryologist to have an abjective evaluation within the three hours normally ntercourring between the oocyte collection and the fertilization.
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Contacts
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