The human ovum : concepts of conception

Abstract

This is an abridged version from a Lecture delivered to the Royal University of Malta Anatomical Society, on January 19, 1972, at the Medical School, Guardamangia, Malta. The application of biochemical, embryological and genetic techniques to the problem of conception has resulted in rapid advances over the past 15 years, in the basic knowledge of fertilization and of very early embryonic development. The process of fertilization implies a continuum of events. The formation of the ovum, for instance, is becoming better understood. Remarkable progress continues on several biological fronts - all of them bound to bear human application. From artificial insemination biologists have advanced to the new technique of "artificial inovulation". Another remarkable achievement is that of nuclear transplantation, which has been applied satisfactorily to several species of amphibia though not as yet, to other vertebrates. Of all the biological achievements, however, the most exciting is bound to be the culture of human ova and their "in vitro" fertilization.