METHOD OF ASSESSING MAMMALIAN EMBRYO QUALITY

摘要

A method of assessing the health of each oocyte or embryo of a mammal from a plurality of oocytes/embryos of the mammal is provided. The method comprises the steps of: measuring gap junctional coupling strength or connexin43 expression of follicular cells associated with each oocyte; and identifying the gap junctional coupling strength/connexin43 expression of follicular cells associated with each oocyte, wherein the greater the coupling strength/connexin43 expression of follicular cells associated with an oocyte relative to the coupling strength/connexin43 expression of follicular cells associated with each other oocyte, the healthier the oocyte and the embryo resulting from that oocyte. Kits for conducting these methods are also provided.