ABSTRACT
Figure 2.1 First polar body (PB1) removal. (a) Once the oocyte has been secured by the holding pipette by gentle suction, the oocyte is oriented using the microneedle so that the PB1 is visualized at the 6 o’clock position. (b) and (c) Using the microneedle, the oocyte is rotated horizontally until the polar body is visualized directly in the center of the oocyte, facing the operator. This orientation of the oocyte, prior to creating the opening, is important when performing ICSI afterwards. (d) A slit is made in the zona pellucida at the 4-5 o’clock position, passing tangentially through the perivitelline space and out at the 7-8 o’clock position. (e) The oocyte is released from the holding pipette and held by the microneedle. (f ) The partial zona dissection microneedle with the oocyte is brought to the top of the holding pipette and pressed to it, pinching a portion of the zona pellucida. By gently rubbing the microneedle against the holding pipette, with a sawing motion, partial zona dissection is accomplished.
