| Popis: |
For successful implantation, the human embryo must breach the zona pellucida, an extracellular glycoproteic matrix surrounding ovulated eggs and preimplantation embryos. This process, defined as “hatching,” is a necessary step in reproduction and occurs when the embryo reaches the blastocyst stage. Due to the blastocyst’s expansions and contractions and still undefined molecular mechanisms, the zona matrix becomes thinner, which helps the embryo to escape and eventually implant in the uterine walls. Indeed, any obstacle impairing blastocyst hatching might result in failure of implantation and consequently, infertility. |
