Abstract
Fertilization in mammals occurs in a number of intricate steps, culminating in the union of male and female genomes. Spermatozoa capacitate prior to sperm receptor binding on the zona pellucida (ZP), where the acrosome reaction is induced. Following ZP penetration membrane fusion occurs, triggering oocyte activation. This leads to the release of cortical granules and the zona reaction, causing a slow, but usually permanent block to polyspermy. Changes in the oolemma may initiate a fast, but often weak and temporary block, as well. Following decondensation and syngamy, the fertilization process is completed with the formation of a genetically new conceptus at the two-cell stage.1 Pathological changes may occur during any of these steps, and fertilization may either be discontinued or result in a genetically abnormal embryo. Discontinued fertilization is common during human in vitro fertilization (IVF), especially when there is a sperm disorder. Although the methods for microsurgical fertilization proposed in recent years only alleviate abnormal ZP-binding, ZP-penetration, and/or membrane fusion, they may be welcome additions to IVF. Basically, three methods, each with its own advantages and disadvantages, have been proposed:
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© 1990 Plenum Press, New York
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Cohen, J. et al. (1990). Partial Zona Dissection for Enhancement of Sperm Passage through the Zona Pellucida. In: Mashiach, S., Ben-Rafael, Z., Laufer, N., Schenker, J.G. (eds) Advances in Assisted Reproductive Technologies. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-0645-0_85
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-0645-0_85
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