Laser scanning confocal imaging of abnormal or arrested human preimplantation embryos.
OBJECTIVE
The improved resolution and optical sectioning of a confocal microscope make it an ideal instrument for extracting three-dimensional information, especially from extended biological specimens such as human embryos. The staining of actin together with chromatin allowed us to specify the architecture of the embryo and the appearance of the nucleus.


METHODS
F-Actin and chromatin distributions were visualized using laser scanning confocal microscopy in "fresh" and "cryopreserved" human preimplantation embryos obtained by in vitro fertilization.


RESULTS
The current study revealed a high rate of multinucleation in arrested or poor-quality embryos (89%, in grade IV embryos).


CONCLUSIONS
Confocal microscopy revealed high levels of multinucleated blastomeres, suggesting that the probable cause of arrested development in these embryos was due to multinucleation of blastomeres.
Laboratoire de Biologie de la Reproduction et du Développement, Hôpital Edouard Herriot, Lyon, France.
R
R
Levy
M
M
Benchaib
H
H
Cordonier
C
C
Souchier
J F
JF
Guerin
D009327:4-Chloro-7-nitrobenzofurazan / Q000737:chemistry; D000199:Actins / Q000737:chemistry; D000328:Adult; D001755:Blastocyst / Q000166:cytology / Q000473:pathology*; D001757:Blastomeres / Q000166:cytology / Q000473:pathology*; D002843:Chromatin / Q000737:chemistry; D015925:Cryopreservation; D005260:Female; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007202:Indicators and Reagents / Q000737:chemistry; D008297:Male; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D011247:Pregnancy; D011419:Propidium / Q000737:chemistry
D000199:Actins; D002843:Chromatin; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D011419:Propidium; D009327:4-Chloro-7-nitrobenzofurazan