Time-lapse cinematography of dynamic changes occurring during in vitro development of human embryos

Objective The purpose of this study was to clarify developmental changes of early human embryos by using time-lapse cinematography (TLC). Study Design For human ova, fertilization and cleavage, development of the blastocyst, and hatching, as well as consequent changes were repeatedly photographed at...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American journal of obstetrics and gynecology 2008-12, Vol.199 (6), p.660.e1-660.e5
Main Authors: Mio, Yasuyuki, MD, PhD, Maeda, Kazuo, MD, PhD
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
assisted reproductive technologies
Biological and medical sciences
Blastocyst
embryo
Embryo Culture Techniques - instrumentation
Embryo Culture Techniques - methods
Embryo Transfer
Embryonic Development - physiology
Female
fertilization
Fertilization in Vitro - methods
Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics
Humans
Medical sciences
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Photography
Pregnancy
Sensitivity and Specificity
Time Factors
time-lapse cinematography
twins
Twins, Monozygotic
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Summary:Objective The purpose of this study was to clarify developmental changes of early human embryos by using time-lapse cinematography (TLC). Study Design For human ova, fertilization and cleavage, development of the blastocyst, and hatching, as well as consequent changes were repeatedly photographed at intervals of 5-6 days by using an inverse microscope under stabilized temperature and pH. Photographs were taken at 30 frames per second and the movies were studied. Results Cinematography has increased our understanding of the morphologic mechanisms of fertilization, development, and behavior of early human embryos, and has identified the increased risk of monozygotic twin pregnancy based on prolonged incubation in vitro to the blastocyst stage. Conclusion Using TLC, we observed the fertilization of an ovum by a single spermatozoon, followed by early cleavages, formation of the morula, blastocyst hatching, changes in the embryonic plates, and the development of monozygotic twins from the incubated blastocysts.
ISSN:0002-9378
1097-6868
DOI:10.1016/j.ajog.2008.07.023