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).


METHODS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Mio
Yasuyuki
Y
Reproductive Centre, Mio Fertility Clinic, Tottori University Medical School, Yonago, Japan.
Maeda
Kazuo
K
D001755:Blastocyst; D046149:Embryo Culture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010781:Photography; D011247:Pregnancy; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013997:Time Factors; D014430:Twins, Monozygotic; D014741:Video Recording