Subject(s)
Blastocyst/metabolism , Fertilization in Vitro , Genetic Diseases, Inborn/genetics , Prenatal Diagnosis , DNA Primers , Electrophoresis, Agar Gel , Embryo Transfer , Female , Genetic Markers , Humans , Male , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Outcome , Sex Chromosomes/chemistry , Sex Chromosomes/genetics , TwinsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to assess a 12-well oocyte collection and embryo culture plate for use in the IVF laboratory. DESIGN: This was a prospective nonrandomized study. SETTING: The setting was a university in vitro fertilization program. PATIENTS: Eighty-four consecutive infertility couples presenting for IVF were studied. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcome measure was pregnancy (delivered). RESULTS: A 34% delivered pregnancy rate per retrieval was attained using the 12-well collection and culture plate without the use of expensive culture media and special serum supplementation. CONCLUSIONS: The use of a 12-well plate for oocyte collection and embryo culture provides a simple, economical, efficient, and effective means of producing human embryos during in vitro fertilization. This system is capable of supporting high rates of ongoing and delivered pregnancies.
Subject(s)
Culture Techniques/instrumentation , Embryo, Mammalian/cytology , Fertilization in Vitro/methods , Oocytes/cytology , Adult , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Pregnancy , Prospective StudiesABSTRACT
The formation of urinary oxamide stones was induced in rats by feeding them oxamide mixed with powdered rat chow. The structure of these stones and the changes in the rat renal papillary structure following oxamide administration were studied using bright field and polarizing light microscopy as well as scanning electron microscopy. Oxamide appeared in the papillary collecting ducts, pelvis, ureters and urinary bladder of the rats in the form of yellow spherulitic units composed of dendritic crystals. Oxamide stones in turn were aggregates of these spherulites. Our results indicate the renal stone formation started with the crystallization of oxamide in the tubular lumina of the collecting ducts of the papillae. Crystal formation in the tubules was associated with epithelial necrosis. Some of the crystals became attached to injured epithelium, thus impeding urinary flow. The attachment of the crystals resulted in their retention in the renal tubules. These oxamide deposits then grew or aggregated to form stones. The formation of oxamide deposits in the ducts of Bellini resulted in dilatation, compression of the epithelium and destruction of the papillary urothelium. These factors resulted in the deformation of the papillary tip of the kidney.
