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From Embryology

Lab 1 Assessment

1. Identify the origin of In Vitro Fertilization and the 2010 nobel prize winner associated with this technique and add a correctly formatted link to the Nobel page.

The History of In Vitro Fertilisation

In vitro fertilisation (IVF) was first described for non-human use. The earliest known research conducted was by Walter Heape from Cambridge University in the 1890s who reported the first known case of embryo transplantation in rabbits. In 1959, Dr. Min Chueh Chang published his work in Nature describing the first successful mammalian live birth (rabbits) after IVF therapy.

Eventually, techniques for IVF in humans began to be developed. In 1978, the first successful IVF birth occurred in England - baby Louise Brown. The success was credited to the work of Patrick Steptoe and Robert Edwards. The history of IVF is still in the making with new developments constantly occuring.

Nobel Prize for In Vitro Fertilisation Therapy

Robert G. Edwards was awarded the 2010 Nobel Prize in Medicine for development of human IVF therapy. His contribution to modern medicine has made it possible to treat infertility, giving many couples a chance to conceive.


2. Identify and add a PubMed reference link to a recent paper on fertilisation and describe its key findings (1-2 paragraphs).

Research in Fertilisation

In order for fusion between mammalian gametes to occur, a spermatazoan must pass through the layers on the oocyte's externa including the cumulus ophorus and the zona pellucida. It is believe that the acromosome reaction (AR) of the spermatozoa starts upon contact with the zona pellucida. The recent experiments of Jin et al. (2011) sought to delve further into this concept of where the AR takes place and answer the question: "Where does the fertilising mouse spermatozoon begin the AR - in the cumulus [of the oocyte] or the zona pellucida?" [1]


References

  1. <pubmed>21383182</pubmed>

Lab Attendance

Lab 1 --Z3333038 11:49, 25 July 2012 (EST)