Noncontact, laser-mediated extraction of polar bodies for prefertilization genetic diagnosis.
OBJECTIVE
We tested an entirely noncontact polar body-extraction method using an ultraviolet laser beam for laser zona drilling and a near infrared laser beam for polar body (PB) trapping and extraction.


METHODS
A hole was drilled into the zona pellucida of an oocyte. Then, the PB was trapped with optical tweezers and dragged through the drilled hole.


RESULTS
Bovine first PBs could be extracted in 49 out of 63 oocytes (78%) using this method. In human oocytes, PB extraction was successfully demonstrated, which however was more time consuming. A number of extracted PBs were dried on a special membrane, circumcised with the laser microbeam, and successfully catapulted into the lid of a microfuge tube (laser pressure catapulting).


CONCLUSIONS
This solely laser-mediated extraction method allows convenient procurement of PBs without the danger of contamination and is a promising approach that might replace standard micromanipulation methods in the future.
Clement-Sengewald
A
A
1st Women's Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany. a-s@sengewald.m.uunet.de
Buchholz
T
T
Schütze
K
K
Berg
U
U
Berg
E D
ED
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D016764:Cell Polarity; D005260:Female; D005820:Genetic Testing / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D010063:Ovum; D011247:Pregnancy; D019836:Preimplantation Diagnosis / Q000379:methods*