Pronuclei in human embryos
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigation of causes and molecular mechanisms of abnormal one-pronucleus zygotes after Assisted Reproductive Technology treatment
IRAS ID
193352
Contact name
RA Anderson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Edinburgh
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
During IVF treatment, the first sign of normal fertilisation is the formation of what are called 'pronuclei' (PN), of which there should be two, one from the egg and one from the sperm. These contain the 2 sets of chromosomes, which then merge. Sometimes only one PN is seen. We have experimental data from mice that certain proteins are essential for normal formation of two PN, and that if they are deficient then only 1 PN forms. We wish to see if the equivalent proteins are also involved where only one PN forms in human embyos. These embryos (about 4% of all embryos) are normally discarded, so this will involve no intervention.
We wish to analyse these embryos to see if we can identify why development has gone wrong. This will involve seeking consent from patients undergoing assisted conception (IVF and related treatments) to donate these embryos. Analysis will be performed in the lab, assessing the expression of specific proteins and related factors. Potentially this may lead to treatments to rectify this in the future.REC name
East of Scotland Research Ethics Service REC 1
REC reference
16/ES/0039
Date of REC Opinion
24 Mar 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion