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

    richard.anderson@ed.ac.uk

  • 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