Objetivos: Avaliar o fuso meiótico e a distribuição cromossômica de oócitos maturados in vitro obtidos de ciclos estimulados de mulheres inférteis com Síndrome dos Ovários Policísticos (SOP) e fatores masculino e/ou tubário de infertilidade. Métodos: Vinte e seis pacientes inférteis com SOP e 48 pacientes com fator tubário e/ou masculino de infertilidade, submetidas a ciclos estimulados para captação oocitária para injeção intracitoplasmática de espermatozóide, foram selecionadas prospectiva e consecutivamente e divididas em grupos de estudo e controle, respectivamente. Oócitos imaturos (34 e 56 oócitos) foram obtidos de 13 e 27 pacientes, respectivamente, dos grupos SOP e controle, sendo submetidos à maturação in vitro (MIV), respectivamente, por 19 horas ± 1 hora (VG) e 4 horas ± 30 minutos (MI), conforme curva de MIV previamente realizada no presente serviço. Oócitos em metáfase II (MII) após MIV, foram fixados, submetidos a imunocoloração e microscopia de fluorescência para avaliação morfológica do fuso e da distribuição cromossômica. Resultados: Não observamos diferença significativa nas taxas de MIV entre os dois grupos avaliados (50% e 42,8%, respectivamente, para os grupos SOP e controle). Na análise por microscopia de imunofluorescência, detectaram-se 3 e 2 oócitos, respectivamente, no grupo de estudo e no grupo controle, em estágio de Telófase I e 3 oócitos ativados partenogeneticamente no grupo controle. Ocorreu a impossibilidade de análise de 4 oócitos do grupo controle em virtude de dificuldades técnicas durante o processo de imunocoloração. Não houve diferença significativa nas proporções de anomalias meióticas entre os grupos SOP e controle (57,1 e 46,7%, respectivamente). Conclusões: Os dados preliminares do presente estudo, apesar de não demonstrarem aumento significativo na incidência de anomalias meióticas nas portadoras de SOP, sugerem uma tendência a maior ocorrência de anomalias meióticas nos oócitos deste grupo de pacientes, quando comparados aos de portadoras de fator masculino e/ou tubário de infertilidade, o que deverá ser mais bem avaliado em estudos com maiores casuísticas. Estes achados têm potencial clínico para apontar uma possível explicação para as controversas menores taxas de fertilização observadas em pacientes com SOP submetidas às Técnicas de Reprodução Assistida. / Objectives: To evaluate the meiotic spindle and the chromosome distribution of in vitro matured oocytes obtained during stimulated cycles from infertile women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and with male factor and/or tubal infertility. Methods: Twenty six infertile patients with PCOS and 48 patients with infertility due to tubal and/or male factor, submitted to stimulated cycles for oocyte retrieval for intracytoplasmic sperm injection, were selected prospectively and consecutively and respectively assigned to the study group and the control group. Imature oocytes (34 and 56 oocytes) were obtained from 13 and 27 patients, respectively, of PCOS and control groups, and submitted to in vitro maturation (IVM) for 19 hours ± 1 hour (GV) and 4 hours ± 30 minutes (MI) according to the IVM curve previously constructed in the present service. After IVM, oocytes in metaphase II (MII) were fixed and submitted to immunostaining and fluorescence microscopy for morphological evaluation of the spindle and of chromosome distribution. Results: IVM rates were similar between the two analyzed groups (50% e 42.8%, respectively, in PCOS e control groups). By immunofluorescence analysis, there were 3 and 2 oocytes, respectively, in PCOS e control groups, in telophase I stage, and 3 parthenogenetic activated oocytes in control group. Because of technical difficulties during the execution of the immunofluorescence protocol, 4 oocytes from the control group could not be analyzed. The difference in the proportions of meiotic anomalies between the two groups was not statistically significant (57.1 e 46.7%, respectively, in PCOS e control groups). Conclusions: The present preliminary data, although not showing a significant increase in the incidence of meiotic anomalies in women with PCOS, suggest a tendency to a higher occurrence of meiotic anomalies in the oocytes of this group of patients compared to women with male and/or tubal infertility, a fact to be better evaluated in studies on larger patient series. The present findings have the clinical potential to provide a possible explanation for the controversial lower fertilization rates observed in patients with PCOS submitted to Assisted Reproduction Techniques

Die GnRH-Agonisten-Applikation zur Downregulation vor IvF ist "gold standard", überwiegend im sogenannten langen Protokoll. Die Behandlung soll den vorzeitigen LH-Anstieg mit vorzeitiger Ovulation verhindern. Die unerwünschten Wirkungen sind dosisabhängig und rechtfertigen die Suche nach der optimal niedrigen Dosis des GnRH-Agonisten. Mit dieser Fragestellung wurde eine prospektive randomisierte Dosisfindungsstudie durchgeführt. 200 sterile Frauen zwischen 18 und 38 Jahren erhielten vor der IvF-Behandlung im langen Protokoll die Standarddosis von 4,12 mg Triptorelinazetat-Depot (1 Amp. i.m. = Gruppe B: n = 100) versus 2,1 mg Triptorelinazetat Depot (1/2 Amp. i.m = Gruppe A. n = 100) zur Downregulation. Folgende Parameter wurden bestimmt: E2, LH, Progesteron. Die Behandlungsergebnisse wurden korreliert mittels der Anzahl der gewonnenen Oocyten, der fertilisierten Oocyten, der transferierten Embryonen und der Schwangerschaftsraten pro Embryotransfer. Abgebrochene IvF-Zyklen wurden einzeln analysiert. Bezüglich der Hormonwerte waren beide Gruppen ohne signifikanten Unterschied. In der Gruppe der Patientinnen mit der halbierten Dosis (A) kam es nur in einem Fall zu einer vorzeitigen Luteinisierung, in der Standartdosisgruppe (B) in keinem Fall. Wegen low response wurde in Gruppe A in 5 Fällen die Therapie abgebrochen, versus 3 Fälle in Gruppe B (ns). Ebenfalls vergleichbar war das IvF-outcome, nur die ET-Rate pro begonnener Stimulation zeigte einen signifikanten Unterschied: 88 % (A) versus 96 % (B), p / The GnRH agonist application for the downregulation prior to IVF is 'gold standard', mainly in the so-called long protocol. This should avoid premature ovulations. The dose-dependent, undesired effects justify the search for the optimal low dose of the GnRH agonist. A prospective randomised dose-finding study was carried out in this respect. Among 200 sterile women (18 and 38 years) for the planned IVF and/or IVF / ICSI treatment in the long protocol, n = 100 in group A received 2.1 mg Triptorelinacetate depot (1/2 amp., i.m.) and n = 100 in group B the standard dose of 4.12 mg (1 amp., i.m.) for the downregulation. The hormone values E2, LH, progesterone were determined. The treatment results were compared by means of the number and quality of the oocoytes, the embryo transfers and the pregnancy rates. Cancelled IVF cycles were analysed. With respect to the hormone values, neither of the two groups showed significant differences. A premature luteinization occurred in group A (reduced dose) in only one case; in the standard dose of group B, none occurred. Due to the low response, the therapy was cancelled in 5 cases in group A, in comparison to 3 cases in group B (ns). The IVF outcome showed a comparable result. The only significant difference was the ET rate per started stimulation (p

La ICSI porcina es una herramienta con gran potencial aplicativo en diversos campos, entre los que destacan la producción de animales transgénicos, y la recuperación de razas en peligro de extinción. Aunque en la actualidad existen referencias de obtención de descendencia viva, el rendimiento es inferior al de otras especies, posiblemente debido al desconocimiento de las condiciones idóneas, y la dificultad de los cigotos para alcanzar el estadío de blastocisto in vitro. El presente trabajo se llevó a cabo para determinar diferentes factores que podrían afectar al rendimiento de la técnica, estudiando el efecto de 1) la secuencia de cultivo de los zigotos recién inyectados; 2) modificaciones en el sistema de MIV tradicional, y por último 3) la activación exógena del ovocito mediante la inyección de inositol trifosfato con el espermatozoide. El objetivo global de este estudio fue el de incrementar el rendimiento final de la ICSI en la especie porcina. / ICSI in pigs is a tool with an important applicable potential in diverse fields. One of this is the production of transgenic animals, and the conservation of endangered species. Even though there are some cases of living offspring, its output is still quite low comparing to other species, possibly due to unknown factors referring to ideal conditions for the development, and to the difficulty of the zygotes to reach the blastocyst stage in vitro. The goal of this study was to evaluate different factors affecting the ICSI performance. This was done by studying 1) the sequence of culture of the injected oocytes; 2) In vitro maturation (IVM) modifications, through meiotic inhibitors, such as roscovitine, and changes in IVM duration time, and finally 3) the exogenous oocyte activation through inositol triphosphate (InsP3) injection together with the sperm. The main objective of this study was to increase the final performance of ICSI in pigs.

La transgénesis es una potente herramienta biotecnológica para la generación de animales modificados genéticamente con aplicaciones en diversas áreas como veterinaria, biomedicina y agricultura. La técnica de transgénesis mediada por espermatozoides (SMGT) se basa en la habilidad intrínseca de las células espermáticas para unir e interiorizar ADN exógeno y permitir su transferencia al interior de los ovocitos tras la fecundación, e integrarse en el genoma del nuevo embrión. El objetivo global de este estudio fue desarrollar un método eficiente de producción in vitro de embriones porcinos y lechones transgénicos aprovechando la capacidad de transferencia de ADN exógeno que presenta el espermatozoide.La combinación de la técnica de ICSI y SMGT es un método eficiente para la producción de lechones y embriones transgénicos, viéndose incrementada su eficiencia mediante el uso de la recombinasa RecA, obteniendo los primeros lechones nacidos en España mediante ICSI, de los cuales 2 fueron transgénicos. / The transgenesis is a powerful biotechnological tool for the generation of genetically modified animal with applications in different areas such as veterinary medicine, biomedicine and agriculture. The technique of sperm mediated gene transfer (SMGT) is based on the intrinsic ability of the spermatozoa to bind exogenous DNA and to allow its transference to the oocytes after fertilization, and to integrate in the genome of the new embryo. The global objective of this study was to develop an efficient method of in vitro production of transgenic embryos and piglets using the spermatozoa capacity to bind to exogenous DNA.The combination of the ICSI technique and SMGT is an efficient method for the production of transgenic embryos and pigs. The efficiency was increased by the use of recombinase RecA, obtaining the first piglets born in Spain by means of ICSI and two of them were transgenic.

Introdução: Apesar de controverso, questiona-se um papel deletério da endometriose nos resultados de procedimentos de reprodução assistida, o que pode estar relacionado ao comprometimento da qualidade oocitária. Para que o oócito maduro esteja preparado para a fertilização, é necessário que o fuso meiótico mantenha a sua integridade e funcionabilidade. Objetivos: Comparar a presença e localização do fuso meiótico e o estágio de maturação nuclear de oócitos com o primeiro corpúsculo polar (CP) visível de pacientes inférteis sem e com endometriose. Comparar os resultados de Injeção Intracitoplasmática de espermatozóides (ICSI) entre os oócitos em telófase I e metáfase II, e entre aqueles com e sem fuso celular visível, nos grupos analisados. Metodologia: Estudo prospectivo e controlado com pacientes inférteis, submetidas à estimulação ovariana para realização de ICSI, selecionadas consecutivamente e divididas em dois grupos: Controle (fator tubário e/ou masculino) e Endometriose (subdividido em endometriose mínima e leve I/II versus moderada e severa III/IV). Os oócitos com extrusão do primeiro CP foram avaliados pela microscopia de polarização imediatamente antes da realização da ICSI e caracterizados quanto à presença/localização do fuso celular em relação ao primeiro CP e ao estágio de maturação nuclear (telófase I ou metáfase II). Foram analisados as taxas de fertilização, clivagem, número de embriões de boa qualidade no segundo (D2) e terceiro (D3) dia de desenvolvimento oriundos dos oócitos em telófase I versus metáfase II, e metáfase II com fuso visível versus sem fuso visível, nos grupos controle, endometriose, endometriose I/II e endometriose III/IV. Resultados: Foram analisados 441 oócitos, sendo 254 do grupo controle e 187 do grupo endometriose (115 do grupo endometriose I/II e 72 do grupo endometriose III/IV). Não observamos diferença significativa entre a percentagem de oócitos em metáfase II com fuso celular visível e não visível (88,6%, 91,3%, 88,2%, respectivamente, nos grupos controle, endometriose I/II e endometriose III/IV) e entre a percentagem de oócitos com fuso celular nas diferentes localizações nos grupos avaliados. Entre os oócitos aparentemente maduros, observamos um aumento significativo de oócitos em telófase I no grupo endometriose III/IV (5,6%) quando comparado ao grupo endometriose I/II (0%). Observamos uma tendência a menores taxas de fertilização dos oócitos injetados em telófase I quando comparados aos em metáfase II, nos grupos controle (p=0,08), endometriose (p=0,05) e endometriose III/IV (p=0,09). Comparando-se os oócitos com e sem fuso celular visível, não observamos diferença significativa nos resultados de ICSI entre os grupos analisados. Conclusão: Não observamos diferença significativa entre os grupos analisados quanto à visualização e localização do fuso celular em oócitos maturados in vivo com o primeiro CP visível. Todavia, observamos um aumento significativo de oócitos em telófase I nas portadoras de endometriose moderada e severa, sugerindo um retardo ou comprometimento na conclusão da meiose I. Considerando que os oócitos injetados em telófase I apresentam piores taxas de fertilização do que os injetados em metáfase II, este achado poderia justificar o comprometimento dos resultados de reprodução assistida em mulheres inférteis com endometriose moderada e severa, além de ser utilizado com ferramenta prognóstica pós-ICSI. / Introduction: Although it has been a controversial issue for decades, a deleterious role of endometriosis on assisted reproductive techniques (ART) outcomes is questioned, which may be related to oocyte quality. For a mature oocyte be prepared for fertilization is necessary that the meiotic spindle keeps its integrity and its function. Objectives: To compare the presence and localization of the meiotic spindle and the oocyte nuclear maturation with the visible first polar body of infertile patients with and without endometriosis. To compare ICSI outcomes between oocytes on telophase I and metaphase II, and the ones with and without visible meiotic spindle, on those two groups. Methodology: A prospective and controlled study with infertile patients who underwent ovarian stimulation for purposes of ICSI, selected consecutively and divided into two groups: control (tubal and/or male factor) and endometriosis (subdivided in minimum and mild stage I/II versus moderate and severe stage III/IV). The oocytes with the first polar body extruded (in vivo matured oocytes) were imaged using a polarization microscopy immediately before ICSI and characterized according to the presence and localization of meiotic spindle and its relation to the first polar body and the nuclear maturation stage (telophase I and metaphase II). We have analyzed the fertilization rates, clivage, number of good quality embryos on the second (D2) and third (D3) day of development from oocytes on telophase I versus the ones on metaphase II, and metaphase II visible spindle versus the non-visible ones, on the control groups, endometriosis, endometriosis stage I/II and endometriosis stage III/IV. Results: A total of 441 oocytes were analyzed, 254 oocytes form the control group and 187 from the endometriosis one (115 from endometriosis stage I/II and 72 from endometriosis stage III/IV). No significant differences between the percentage of metaphase II with visible and non-visible meiotic spindle were found (88,6%, 91,3%, and 88,2%, in the control, endometriosis I/II and endometriosis III/IV groups, respectively). Among the apparently matured oocytes, we have observed a significant increase of oocytes on telophase I on the endometriosis III/IV group (5,6%) when compared with the endometriosis I/II group (0%). We have observed a tendency to fewer fertilization rates from the injected oocytes on telophase I when compared with the ones on metaphase II, on the control group (p=0,08), endometriosis (p=0,05) and endometriosis III/IV group (p=0,09). When we compared oocytes with and without visible meiotic spindle, we found no significant difference on ICSI outcomes among the studied groups. Conclusions: We have found no significant difference among the studied groups regarding the visualization and localization of the meiotic spindle from in vivo matured oocytes with a visible first polar body. However, we have observed a significant increase on the number of oocytes on telophase I from patients with moderate and severe endometriosis, suggesting a delay or an impairment in the completion of meiosis I. Since the injected oocytes on telophase I present a worse fertilization rates than the ones injected on metaphase II, this finding could explain the impairment on the outcomes of ART in infertile women with moderate and severe endometriosis, besides it could be used as a prognosis tool after ICSI procedures.

This retrospective study compared rates of fertilization, cleavage and quality of human embryos obtained by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), with sperm from ejaculate, epididymis and testis. A total of 398 cycles of patients with some kind of male infertility were included and 3991 oocytes were inseminated. The spermatozoa from epididymis and testis were surgically obtained. Fertilization and cleavage rates with sperm from ejaculate (75% and 73%, respectively) were higher (P<0,0001) than those with sperm from the testis (59,7% e 56,8%, respectively) and from epididymis (61,9% e 59,3%). The production of viable embryos (grade I and II) was higher (P=0,0135) when the oocytes where inseminated with ejaculate sperm (89,4%) in relation to sperm from epididymis (82,9%) and testis (85,7%).The percentages of pregnancy were not different among groups (37,8% EJAC group, 27,6% EPID and 36,8% TEST group). In conclusion, sperm from ejaculate have a higher production of viable embryos. However, when sperm from the testis and epididymis are used for ICSI, the production of viable embryos is also considerable and can be seen as success in the assisted reproduction techniques. / Este estudo retrospectivo avaliou as taxas de fertilização, clivagem e qualidade de embriões humanos obtidos através da injeção intracitoplasmática (ICSI) de espermatozóides provenientes do ejaculado, epidídimo ou testículo. Foram incluídos 398 ciclos de pacientes que apresentaram algum tipo de infertilidade masculina, sendo inseminados 3991 oócitos. Os espermatozóides do epidídimo e do testículo foram recuperados cirurgicamente. As taxas de fertilização e de clivagem com espermatozóides do ejaculado (74,5% e 73%, respectivamente) foram maiores (P<0,0001) do que as do testículo (59,7% e 56,8%, respectivamente) e do epidídimo (61,9% e 59,3%). A produção de embriões viáveis (grau I e II) foi maior (P = 0,0135) quando os oócitos foram inseminados com espermatozóides do ejaculado (89,4%), em relação ao epidídimo (82,9%) e testículo (85,7%). As taxas de gestação não foram diferentes entre os grupos (37,8% no grupo EJAC, 27,6% EPID e 36,8% no grupo TEST). Em conclusão, espermatozóides do ejaculado produzem um maior número de embriões viáveis, com maiores taxas de fertilização e de clivagem. Entretanto, quando utilizados espermatozóides do epidídimo e do testículo na ICSI, a produção de embriões viáveis é considerável, obtendo êxito nas técnicas de reprodução assistida.

Etwa 15% aller Paare bleiben ungewollt kinderlos. Männliche Faktoren sind in circa einem Drittel der Fälle als ursächlich anzusehen. Jedoch sind die Erfolgsraten der Therapie männlicher Infertilität durch assistierte Reproduktion auch nach über 30 Jahren seit deren Einführung unbefriedigend. Bestehende Spermienaufbereitungsmethoden wie einfaches Waschen, swim up oder die Dichtegradientenzentrifugation basieren auf makroskopisch-funktionellen Parametern wie Motilität und Morphologie. Spezifische Eigenschaften wie etwa eine aktivierte Apoptosesignalkaskade der Spermien werden dabei nicht berücksichtigt. Die wesentlichen Elemente verschiedener Signalwege der aus somatischen Zellen bekannten Apoptose konnten auch am humanen ejakulierten Spermatozoon nachgewiesen werden. Über die (negativen) Auswirkungen der Apoptose auf die männliche Fruchtbarkeit gibt es einen Konsens. Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit war es, Selektionsmethoden zu entwickeln, welche auf subzellulärer Ebene intakte Spermien mit dem größtmöglichen Fertilisationspotential aus dem Ejakulat extrahieren. In einem ersten Versuchskomplex konnte gezeigt werden, dass durch die Kombination von Dichtegradientenzentrifugation und swim-up (Standardmethoden in Reproduktionskliniken und andrologischen Laboren) zur Aufbereitung der Spermien von subfertilen Patienten eine akzeptable Reduktion der Spermien mit aktivierter Apoptosesignalkaskade erreicht werden kann. Jedoch gaben die großen interindividuellen Unterschiede im Separationseffekt Anlass zur Entwicklung innovativer Untersuchungs- und Separationsmethoden. So wurden unter anderem fluoreszenzbasierte Tests zur Evaluation von Spermiendefekten, wie beispielsweise einer gestörten Integrität des mitochondrialen Membranpotentials, eingeführt. In den Untersuchungen wurde die Praktikabilität dieser neuen Analyseverfahren im Routineeinsatz unter Standardbedingungen getestet und bestätigt. Die innovative Selektionsmethode der Annexin V-MACS Separation basiert auf der Bindung von Annexin V-MicroBeads an apoptotische Spermien, womit eine Subpopulation reifer, motiler und vitaler Spermien mit inaktivierter Apoptosesignalkaskade gezielt angereichert wird. Das Konzept wurde zudem erfolgreich auf ein (Glaswoll-) Festphasen-Filtersystem ohne frei schwimmende Microbeads übertragen. Dadurch gelang die Minimierung eines potentiellen Transmissionsrisikos der Microbeads bei der Anwendung im Rahmen der künstlichen Befruchtung. Den hohen Stellenwert dieser Verfahren belegen die Ergebnisse zweier in-vitro Modelle, an denen erstmalig gezeigt werden konnte, dass durch die Selektion von Spermien mit inaktivierter Apoptose-Signalkaskade höhere Fertilisationsraten erreichbar sind.

Pour mieux comprendre la signification des marqueurs d'apoptose dans les spermatozoïdes éjaculés humains, l'objectif de notre étude était de mesurer ces marqueurs dans les spermatozoïdes prélevés à différents niveaux du tractus génital masculin dans différentes situations physiopathologiques. Pour évaluer la qualité fonctionnelle de ces spermatozoïdes, des relations ont été recherchées entre l'expression de ces marqueurs et les résultats obtenus en assistance médicale à la procréation. Les marqueurs analysés sont des facteurs mis en jeu dans l'initiation et l'activation de l'apoptose (poly-caspases, caspase-3, -8 ou -9 activée(s)), et des signes précoces (externalisation de la phosphatidylsérine, PS) ou tardifs (fragmentation de l'ADN) de l'apoptose. Pour certains échantillons, une analyse ultrastructurale des spermatozoïdes a aussi été réalisée. la mesure de l'expression des caspases activées a fait l'objet d'une mise au point compte-tenu de l'hétérogénéité des populations spermatiques et de la faible quantité de spermatozoïdes disponibles. Finalement, nous avons retenu une mesure par double marquage associant un inhibiteur fluorescent vert des caspases activées et un colorant fluorescent rouge (Propidium Iodide) avec une détection soit en cytométrie en flux soit en microscopie à fluorescence selon la nature des spermatozoïdes analysés. Chez des patients présentant une agénésie bilatérale des canaux déférents, la proportion de spermatozoïdes vivants ou morts exprimant des caspases activées est plus élevée dans les spermatozoïdes testiculaires que dans les spermatozoïdes épididymaires suggérant une initiation du processus apoptique dans les testicules et une incapacité des spermatozoïdes épididymaires à initier l'apoptose. Dans ces conditions, en ICSI, le risque d'injecter un spermatozoïde apoptique dans un ovocyte est plus élevé avec les spermatozoïdes testiculaires et pourrait expliquer pour une part, les résultats de moins bonne qualité avec ces spermatozoïdes testiculaires qu'avec les spermatozoïdes épididymaires. Chez des patients infertiles, porteurs d'une translocation chromosomique réciproque ou Robertsonienne autosomique, il existe une expression plus importante des modifications ultrastructurales et des marqueurs biochimiques d'apoptose (caspases activées, fragmentation de l'ADN, externalisation de la PS) associée à des signes d'immaturité ultrastructurale, comparé aux spermatozoïdes d'hommes fertiles. Ces résultats pourraient expliquer que dans l'éjaculat de ces patients, il existe une prédominance de gamètes équilibrés sur le plan chromosomique. En effet, les gamètes présentant un déséquilibre auraient été éliminées préférentiellement par apoptose. En conclusion, les marqueurs d'apoptose exprimés par les spermatozoïdes éjaculés seraient le reflet d'une altération de la spermatogenèse avec une apoptose initiée et avortée dans le testicule associée à des anomalies de maturation et différentiation. La mesure des marqueurs d'apoptose dans les spermatozoïdes apporterait une aide dans la compréhension et la prise en charge de l'infertilité masculine, en particulier en assistance médicale à la procréation.

La fécondation avec micro-injection du spermatozoïde est une technique d'aide médicale à la procréation. Afin de faciliter la tâche des médecins et d'augmenter le taux de réussite de cette technique (30 %), il est nécessaire d'automatiser certaines étapes du processus. Nous proposons de réaliser le transfert automatique de cellule. Les cellules se déplacent en milieu biologique dans un microcanal qui alimente les zones de travail. Elles sont poussées par une particule ferromagnétique, appelée pousseur, de taille des cellules et qui suit les mouvements d'un aimant disposé à l'extérieur du canal. Les travaux présentés dans cette thèse exposent la modélisation complète du comportement dynamique du pousseur. Cette modélisation est décomposée en trois blocs fonction qui déterminent successivement la valeur de l'aimantation interne, les efforts subis et la trajectoire du pousseur. L'intérêt de cette modélisation est que nous pouvons reproduire la trajectoire d'un objet ferromagnétique plan en fonction des variations du champ magnétique environnant. Le fait de réduire le champ d'application de la modélisation à des objets plan nous permet d'obtenir un résultat répondant à nos critères d'utilisation dans un temps de calcul nettement inférieur à celui d'une application telle que Flux3DR. L'utilisation du modèle a mis en évidence l'influence des caractéristiques géométrique et magnétique des éléments actifs sur le comportement général du pousseur. Le dispositif expériemental développé a permis de déplacer des billes en verre de 200 micromètres de diamètre en mode télé opéré et en boucle ouverte ainsi que des ovocytes humains de 150 micromètres de diamètre en mode télé opéré.

The ubiquitin-proteasomal system which is the major pathway for intracellular protein degradation is also involved in sperm quality control in the mammalian epididymis. Defective sperm become surface- ubiquitinated during epididymal passage. The level of sperm surface ubiquitination negatively correlates with their quality. Hypothetically it is possible that after fertilization, highly ubiquitinated sperm, naturally present in mammalian ejaculates, would be actively recognized by oocyte (probably via 26S proteasomal complex). Subsequent partial or total sperm degradation should negatively affect the development of the potentially defective embryo. In this study, we examined the effect of sperm ubiquitination on the early embryonic development in pig (Sus scrofa f. domestica) using the method of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). In vitro embryonic development to the blastocyst stage after ICSI was comparable with other laboratories. In this study, no significant difference was observed in the formation of pronuclei between oocytes fertilized by lower and highly ubiquitinated sperm cells. On the other hand, significantly better embryonic development to the blastocyst stage was observed in oocytes fertilized by sperm with lower surface ubiquitination (17 %) compared with oocytes fertilized by highly...