Gamete and Embryo Micromanipulation in Human Reproduction

Part 1 Introduction: historical overview of the use of micromanipulation. Part 2 Gamete micromanipulation: preparative techniques in micromanipulation; experience with subzonal insemination in mouse and cow; techniques for the preparation of spermatozoa and the need for capacitation and the acrosome reaction. Part 3 Subzonal insemination - SUZI: the need for micro-assisted fertilization in human reproduction; sperm micro-injection and microfertilization; subzonal insemination and zona breaching techniques for assisted fertilization. Part 4 Partial zona pellucida dissection (PZD): microsurgical fertilization and zona pellucida micromanipulation; partial zona pellucida dissection as an assisted fertilization technique in subfertile males; preliminary studies with partial zona dissection and clinical pregnancies. Part 5 New approaches to micro-assisted fertilization: from conventional to laser micromanipulation of gametes; new advances in micromanipulation - applications for treatment of the severe male factor patient; micro-assisted reproduction - is it the treatment of choice after fertilization failure?. Part 6 Embryo micromanipulation: prelude to pre-implantation diagnoisis in the human; embryo microsurgery for large animals; an overview of pre-implantation diagnosis; pre-implantation diagnoisis - strategies for embryo biopsy and genetic analysis; pre-implantation cytogenetic diagnosis; "In vitro" culture of biopsied blastomeres and diagnosis of aneuploidy; gamete and embryo micromanipulation in human reproduction - perspicacity or opacity? Part 7 Legal and ethical debate: legal implications raised by micromanipulation techniques; ethics of gamete and embryo micromanipulation in human reproduction.