Method for in vitro fertilization of oocytes using microchambers

A method for achieving in vitro fertilization of an oocyte comprising the steps of

• (a) placing a drop of fertilization medium in a container;
• (b) causing said drop to be shaped such that a portion of the drop is contained within at least one oocyte chamber, the portion of the drop within said at least one chamber being less than the volume of the entire drop both inside and outside said at least one chamber, said chamber volume exceeding the volume of the oocyte by from 800% to 2000%;
• (c) causing said oocyte chamber to be formed and positioned in relation to the remainder of said drop such that sperm of normal motility, when placed in said drop remote from said chamber, will tend to congregate in the vicinity of the oocyte chamber and permit contact between an oocyte contained in said chamber and said sperm;
• (d) placing an oocyte to be fertilized in said at least one oocyte chamber;
• (e) placing a sample of sperm into said drop at a location remote from said at least one oocyte chamber;
• (f) allowing said sperm to remain in said drop for a period of time sufficient for sperm of normal motility to congregate in the vicinity of said at least one oocyte chamber;
• and
• (g) allowing the oocyte to be fertilized by the sperm and recovering the fertilized oocyte from the oocyte chamber.