B0003309 Human embryo after zona drilling – coloured
Credit: Yorgos Nikas. Wellcome Images
images@wellcome.ac.uk
http://images.wellcome.ac.uk
Colour-enhanced scanning electron micrograph of a
human embryo at day 3. The egg has been fertilised
in vitro and has developed to this stage in
culture. The coat around the egg (zona pellucida)
has been treated with acid Tyrodes solution to
make a hole so an individual cell can be removed.
This cell can then be used for genetic diagnosis
before the embryo is transferred to the woman’s
uterus. This allows the selective implantation of
embryos that do not carry the genetic disease in
question.
Published: –

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