Oocyte

The aquaporin water channel was only identified recently. Review how it was discovered, its structures and its role in the disease diabetes insipidus. Aquaporins are essential plasma membrane proteins that form pores in the membranes of biological cells, allowing for the transportation of water across the plasma membrane due to osmotic gradients. These water channels are of great significance in monitoring the water contents of cells and are widely dispersed in all kingdoms of life – plants, mammals

A successful fertilisation event refers to a sperm and an oocyte meet at a right place and a right time. Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) includes IVF (in vitro fertilisation) or ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) treatments have helped xxx of women got pregnant and deliver around xx of newborns to couples in the UK every year. However, the overall pregnancy rate is remain low. Only a minority (15-30%) of embryos implanted in the uterus result in a successful pregnancy. It is approximately

the day of embryo biopsy. Recent studies show that the ideal day to perform embryo biopsy is the 5th day after oocyte retrieval, when the embryos are at the blastocyst stage. The cells retrieved from each embryo are submitted to the genetics laboratory for analysis. If the results can be analysed within 24 hours, embryo transfer can take place the following day (on the 6th day after oocyte retrieval). If more time is needed, the embryos can be frozen after the biopsy until their screening is completed

The gene GJB3 (gap junction beta-3) encodes the protein Connexin 31. Connexin 31 is a member of the connexin gene family. Connexins are four-pass transmembrane proteins with both C and N cytoplasmic termini, a cytoplasmic loop (CL) and two extra-cellular loops, (EL-1) and (EL-2). Connexins are a group of proteins that form channels (gap junctions) on the surface of cells. Gap junctions allow direct intercellular communication of low molecular weight substances. Gap junctions open and close to regulate

potential mother to “replace” the potential diseased baby. With most God-fearing religions, giving away or having your oocyte destroyed and replaced is simply unacceptable. Such practice can be viewed unethical because the receiver has the opportunity to terminate the “God-given” genetic factors. Whether it the genetic factors are diseased or not, many believe that replacing one’s oocyte is still morally wrong. According to Pang and Ho (2016), genetic engineering can potentially be used for genetic enhancement

Now, what about when there is no developing fetus? What does the uterus do then? Well, each month when the female releases an oocyte - which is just an unfertilized egg - that oocyte has the potential to become a baby, but only if it is fertilized by a male's sperm. So each month the uterus prepares for the possibility of fertilization. If fertilization does not occur, then the uterus starts its preparation

tissue encircled by fibrous connective tissue. Starting at age of puberty, the ovaries become fixed with around 300,000 follicles, with each one containing an immature ovum. Through cyclic changes, 1 or 2 of these follicles become mature, releasing an oocyte, and thus resulting in fertilization or menstruation (Stanfield, 2012, p.646). However, with polycystic ovarian syndrome these cyclic changes are effected. Polycystic ovarian syndrome is defined by many symptoms, however, numerous cysts on the ovaries

functional mtDNA thereby increasing the mutational load in the cell. To study the mtDNA transmission from mother to offspring, an experiment was conducted in which the mtDNA inheritance was studied in primary oocytes. They found that only a certain number of mtDNA were transferred to oocyte. On oocyte

The main purpose of the oviducts is to be the site of fertilization and receive ovulated oocyte. The oviduct includes the fallopian, or uterine tubes. The ovulated oocyte, or ovum, travels from the ovary to the uterus through the oviduct. The fallopian tube is comprised of three parts, the infundibulum, ampulla and isthmus. The infundibulum is comprised of ciliated fimbriae and located at the cranial end of the fallopian tube. The ampulla, the actual site of fertilization, is located between the

stimulate multiple follicular development followed by ovulation induction with an ovulatory trigger before oocyte collection and fertilization. It is increasingly appreciated that such exogenous hormonal stimulation for ARTs results in the environment of supra-physiological level of steroid hormone and may be detrimental to endometrial receptivity. Although no significant differences in oocyte quality or embryo quality were found between patients treated with GnRH agonist or GnRH antagonist, the data