Pronuclear scoring. Time for international standardization.

Full Abstract

Zygote scoring is an efficient tool for embryo selection not only in countries where embryo selection is not permitted. Several different scoring systems have been published so far, making comparisons of assessments between investigators and laboratories extremely difficult. Pronuclear evaluation should be standardized in a manner analogous to the standardization of cleavage stage embryo scoring or of semen evaluation by the World Health Organization. The ideal score should be clear and easily applicable. The items that have the greatest influence on embryonic development seem to be alignment and size of pronuclei, alignment and number of nucleoli, halo effect and appearance of vacuoles. These morphologic parameters can be observed in different features and can be summarized as a zygote score.

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Author information

Author/s: Zollner, Ursula (U); Zollner, Klaus-Peter (KP); Steck, Thomas (T); Dietl, Johannes (J);

Affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Strasse 4, D-97080 Würzburg, Germany. zollner_u(-atsign-)klinik.uni-wuerzburg.de

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: The Journal of reproductive medicine (J Reprod Med), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2003-May; vol 48 (issue 5) : pp 365-9

Dates: Created 2003/06/20; Completed 2003/09/16; Revised 2004/11/17;

PMID: 12815911, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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