Microscopy Applications for Reproductive Medicine

Microscopy Solutions for Fertilization

Oocyte and Sperms Prepared for the Desired Fertility Treatment

After assessing the quality, oocyte and sperms are prepared for the desired fertility treatment. In vitro fertilization (IVF), Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and Intracytoplasmic morphologically-selected sperm injection (IMSI) are reproductive technologies for fertility treatment of humans and animals. Especially ICSI and IMSI require high resolution and high contrast microscopes, equipped with micromanipulation. The procedure is usually carried out in a petri dish sitting on a heated microscope stage glass insert. ICSI has a higher fertilization probability rate than IVF. Therefore, in many regions and countries ICSI is the preferred ART method.

Reproductive Technologies for Fertility Treatment


In vitro fertilization (IVF)	Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)	Intracytoplasmic morphologically-selected sperm injection (IMSI)
eggs are harvested and incubated	eggs are harvested and incubated	eggs are harvested and incubated
unselected sperm cells are added	the oocyte is stabilized by a holding pipette	morphological selection of a healthy egg with an inverted microscope
both are left together (in vitro) for several days	a glass micropipette is used to collect a single sperm	the oocyte is stabilized by a holding pipette
healthy, mobile sperm cells actively fertilize the eggs	the unselected sperm cell is immobilized by cutting its tail with the point of the micropipette	semen analysis with an upright microscope
embryos are transferred into the uterus	the oocyte is pierced through the membrane (oolemma) and the sperm is directed to the inner part of the oocyte (cytoplasm)	morphological selection of a healthy sperm cell with an inverted microscope with high magnifications, DIC contrast with oil immersion objectives
	the sperm is then released into the oocyte	a glass micropipette is used to immobilize the selected sperm by cutting its tail
	cellular structures such as the zona pellucida and polar body of the egg cell must be clearly visible	the oocyte is pierced through the membrane (oolemma) and the sperm is directed to the inner part of the oocyte (cytoplasm)
		the sperm is then released into the oocyte
		cellular structures such as the zona pellucida and polar body of the egg cell must be clearly visible
		shape and vacuole count of the sperm cells must be assessed