title: Laboratory techniques for human embryos.
abstract: This review is concerned with laboratory techniques needed for assisted conception, particularly the handling of gametes and embryos. Such methods are being increasingly refined. Successive stages of fertilization and embryogenesis require especial care, and often involve the use of micromanipulative methods for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) or preimplantation genetic diagnosis. Embryologists must take responsibility for gamete collection and preparation, and for deciding on the means of insemination or ICSI. Embryos must be assessed in culture, during the 1-cell, cleaving and morula/blastocyst stages, and classified according to quality. Co-culture methods may be necessary. The best embryos for transfer must be selected and loaded into the transfer catheter. Embryos not transferred must be cryopreserved, which demands the correct application of current methods of media preparation, seeding and the correct speed for cooling and warming. Before too long, methods of detecting abnormal embryos and avoiding their transfer may become widespread.
authors.affiliation: ORIGEN, Centro de Medicina Reprodutiva, Av Contorno 7747, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, CEP 30 010 020, Brazil. sjgeber@bhnet.com.br
authors.forename: Selmo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Geber
authors.forename: Liana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sales
authors.forename: Marcos A C
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Sampaio
mesh_terms: D001755:Blastocyst / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods; D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000379:methods; D003470:Culture Media; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007315:Insemination, Artificial / Q000379:methods; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000379:methods; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media