Added by "Edit:" Confirmed, At the Moment of Conception, There is a Flash of Light.


Providing sufficient light to be able to record the "zinc spark" occurring in human fertilization was the reason and intent of the experiment. If there had been no spark there, there would have been no excitement about successfully recording it.

No one would get excited about filming unless there was something extraordinary about it...

They didn't "simulate" fertilization! When the sperm penetrated the egg, fertilization took place.

You read it again, for the first time on another scientific website observing and recording the "zinc spark" created by mice and other mammals at the moment of fertilization.

"Let there be Life."

They were able to predict and determine the relative healthiness and strength of each zygote by the brightness of the spark created at the moment of fertilization.

https://www.nature.com/articles/srep22772

Scientific Reports volume 6, Article number: 22772 (2016)

The fertilization-induced zinc spark is a novel biomarker of mouse embryo quality and early development.

Nan Zhang, Francesca E. Duncan, Emily L. Que, Thomas V. O’Halloran & Teresa K. Woodruff

Scientific Reports volume 6, Article number: 22772 (2016

Abstract

Upon activation, mammalian eggs release billions of zinc ions in an exocytotic event termed the “zinc spark.” The zinc spark is dependent on and occurs coordinately with intracellular calcium t***sients, which are tightly associated with embryonic development. Thus, we hypothesized that the zinc spark represents an early extracellular physicochemical marker of the developmental potential of the zygote. To test this hypothesis, we monitored zinc exocytosis in individual mouse eggs following parthenogenetic activation or in vitro fertilization (IVF) and tracked their development. Retrospective analysis of zinc spark profiles revealed that parthenotes and zygotes that developed into blastocysts released more zinc than those that failed to develop. Prospective se******n of embryos based on their zinc spark profile significantly improved developmental outcomes and more than doubled the percentage of embryos that reached the blastocyst stage. Moreover, the zinc spark profile was also associated with embryo quality as the total cell number in the resulting morulae and blastocysts positively correlated with the zinc spark amplitude (R = 0.9209). Zinc sparks can thus serve as an early biomarker of zygote quality in mouse model.

Introduction

Recently, zinc emerged as an essential element required for the completion of meiosis and egg activation1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11. In mouse, meiotic maturation is accompanied by a substantial (50%) increase in total zinc content4, which is required to t***sition through anaphase. At fertilization, total zinc levels decrease. Within minutes of fertilization, zinc is released from the zygote into the extracellular space in a secretory event termed the “zinc spark”3,7. This zinc release closely follows calcium t***sients and is necessary for cell cycle resumption via pathways that include modulation of the cell cycle regulatory protein EMI22,8. Our work has shown that in human (Duncan et al. a manuscript submitted to Scientific Reports) and other mammalian species12, zinc spark is a hallmark of egg activation that happens upon parthenogenetic activation or fertilization13. Thus, the zinc spark represents an early marker of the quality of the mammalian egg, one of particular interest because it can be measured extracellularly. The predictive quality of the zinc spark as a marker of the developmental potential of human zygotes, however, is not readily evaluated due to ethical, legal and technical considerations regarding human embryo research. We therefore used a mouse model to determine whether zinc spark profiles are correlated with preimplantation embryo development14,15,16. We measured zinc spark profiles in individual mouse eggs following parthenogenetic activation or in vitro fertilization (IVF) and tracked the development of the resulting parthenotes and embryos, respectively. We found a significant correlation between the amplitude of the fertilization-induced zinc spark and successful embryo development to the blastocyst stage. Prospective se******n of zygotes based on their zinc spark amplitude improved IVF outcomes and more than doubled the blastocyst percentage, indicating that the magnitude of zinc released at the time of fertilization can be used to predict embryo quality. These studies provide strong evidence that the zinc spark, a conserved hallmark of egg activation in multiple mammalian species including human, can be used to predict IVF outcomes.
Results
Distinct ionomycin-induced zinc spark profiles are correlated with egg activation and blastocyst formation

To determine whether there is variability in zinc spark profiles that could underlie differences in the quality of individual eggs, we imaged zinc sparks in eggs collected from the same animal following activation with 5 μM Ca-ionomycin (Ca-Iono). Ca-Iono directly delivers exogenous calcium into the cell and induces a single large intracellular calcium t***sient17. Consistent with our previous findings that a rise in intracellular calcium triggers the zinc spark12, each of the cells treated with Ca-Iono mounted a single zinc spark (Fig. 1A a-f and Movie S1). Of note, each egg had a distinct zinc spark profile, which can be analyzed using a number of parameters including amplitude (maximum peak height), integrated intensity (area under the curve), duration, and rate of rise calculated as amplitude divided by the rising time (Fig. S1).

To further test the relationship between zinc spark profile and mouse embryonic development, we analyzed zinc spark profiles in individual eggs following parthenogenetic activation in calcium-free media using Ca-Iono or the apo (i.e. calcium free) form of ionomycin (Iono)18. Both reagents can induce an intracellular calcium rise. However, Ca-Iono delivers a bolus of exogenous calcium directly into the egg therefore Iono is thought to provide a better readout of egg quality as it only triggers the release of endogenous calcium stores to mount the activation-associated calcium t***sients. Cells treated with either activating agent were then allowed to develop, and at the conclusion of the experiment were characterized as “unactivated” eggs (cells that remained at metaphase of meiosis II; MII), “non-blastocyst” parthenotes, and “blastocyst” parthenotes (Fig. 1B). We found that compared to Ca-Iono, Iono treatment yielded higher percentages of both egg activation (85% Ca-Iono, 97% Iono; Fig. 1C,D) and blastocyst formation 120 hours post activation (11% Ca-Iono, 14% Iono; Fig. 1C-c,D-c). This incidence of blastocyst formation is comparable to the rate reported in the literature (16%) using the same activation method19. A majority of the eggs (74% Ca-Iono, 83% Iono; Fig. 1C-b,D-b) initiated preimplantation embryo development but did not reach the blastocyst stage (“non-blastocyst”).

Using this data, we performed a retrospective analysis to characterize the zinc spark profile associated with each of the three developmental outcomes. In both Ca-Iono and Iono treatments, the unactivated eggs displayed significantly lower zinc spark amplitudes and integrated intensity of all the groups (Fig. 1E). Zinc sparks in eggs that developed into blastocysts had higher amplitude and larger integrated intensity compared to non-blastocysts (Fig. 1E). We note that the duration of the Ca-Iono induced zinc spark was longer than that induced by Iono, which might be an effect of the excess calcium introduced into the cell by the Ca-Iono. Taken together, these results indicate that zinc spark profiles are closely related to egg quality and parthenogenetic development in mice.

To further test these findings, we prospectively selected embryos based on their zinc spark profile and monitored their development. Because the correlation between zinc spark profiles and embryo quality is more robust in Ca-Iono method compared to Iono method, we activated eggs with Ca-Iono and separated and cultured the parthenotes in two groups based on their zinc spark amplitude: those in the top 50th percentile and those in the bottom 50th percentile. These were then scored on their ability to progress to the blastocyst stage. Published rates of blastocyst formation for this protocol are low (16%)19 but we find more than twice as many activated eggs in the group whose zinc spark amplitude was in the top 50th percentile progressed through early development (top 50th: 19% blastocyst, bottom 50th: 8% blastocyst). These results indicate that the zinc spark profile is a statistically significant marker of mammalian embryo quality that can be used to select embryos with greater developmental potential.

Zinc sparks induced by fertilization correlate with development to blastocyst stage

We next investigated if zinc spark profiles observed during IVF were correlated with embryo development. We imaged a group of zona pellucida (ZP) intact eggs during fertilization and tracked their long-term development (N = 152, Fig. 2C). Among these eggs, we were able to document the zinc spark in real time for the first time upon fertilization. This egg mounted a zinc spark exactly two minutes and eight seconds after the sperm penetrated the ZP, and it reached the blastocyst stage 120 hours after fertilization (Fig. 2A and Movie S2). As was observed with parthenogenetic activation, IVF elicited different zinc spark profiles among eggs collected from the same animal. Figure 2B shows six fertilized eggs – four had one zinc spark (a,d,e,f); one had two zinc sparks (b) and one egg did not release a zinc spark (c) during the two-hour monitoring window.
Figure 2: Larger zinc spark release during IVF Figure 2 : Larger zinc spark release during IVF is associated with embryos that develop to the blastocyst stage.

From: The fertilization-induced zinc spark is a novel biomarker of mouse embryo quality and early development.

Here is what they filmed: https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=zinc+spark+study&qs=SC&cvid=2c841beb4b5e428fb6c8d21d13b31dac&cc=US&setlang=en-US&PC=ASTS&ru=%2fsearch%3fq%3dzinc%2bspark%2bstudy%26form%3dEDGTCT%26qs%3dSC%26cvid%3d2c841beb4b5e428fb6c8d21d13b31dac%26cc%3dUS%26setlang%3den-US%26PC%3dASTS&view=detail&mmscn=vwrc&mid=55EAA8AD0D87D9438C1055EAA8AD0D87D9438C10&FORM=WRVORC

They (in various articles on the topic) specify that it is a characteristic of mammalian eggs. Do you suggest that only mammals were given life?

What kind of tape, and why are you "peeling" it in the dark?

Are you speaking of static electricity?

In these lab tests, the "zinc spark" is caused by the fertilization taking place.

They were able to predict and determine the relative healthiness and strength of each zygote by the brightness of the spark which spontaneously occurs at the moment of fertilization.


https://www.nature.com/articles/srep22772

Scientific Reports volume 6, Article number: 22772 (2016)

The fertilization-induced zinc spark is a novel biomarker of mouse embryo quality and early development.

Nan Zhang, Francesca E. Duncan, Emily L. Que, Thomas V. O’Halloran & Teresa K. Woodruff

Scientific Reports volume 6, Article number: 22772 (2016

Abstract

Upon activation, mammalian eggs release billions of zinc ions in an exocytotic event termed the “zinc spark.” The zinc spark is dependent on and occurs coordinately with intracellular calcium t***sients, which are tightly associated with embryonic development. Thus, we hypothesized that the zinc spark represents an early extracellular physicochemical marker of the developmental potential of the zygote. To test this hypothesis, we monitored zinc exocytosis in individual mouse eggs following parthenogenetic activation or in vitro fertilization (IVF) and tracked their development. Retrospective analysis of zinc spark profiles revealed that parthenotes and zygotes that developed into blastocysts released more zinc than those that failed to develop. Prospective se******n of embryos based on their zinc spark profile significantly improved developmental outcomes and more than doubled the percentage of embryos that reached the blastocyst stage. Moreover, the zinc spark profile was also associated with embryo quality as the total cell number in the resulting morulae and blastocysts positively correlated with the zinc spark amplitude (R = 0.9209). Zinc sparks can thus serve as an early biomarker of zygote quality in mouse model.

Introduction

Recently, zinc emerged as an essential element required for the completion of meiosis and egg activation1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11. In mouse, meiotic maturation is accompanied by a substantial (50%) increase in total zinc content4, which is required to t***sition through anaphase.[b[ At fertilization, total zinc levels decrease. Within minutes of fertilization, zinc is released from the zygote into the extracellular space in a secretory event termed the “zinc spark”[/b]3,7. This zinc release closely follows calcium t***sients and is necessary for cell cycle resumption via pathways that include modulation of the cell cycle regulatory protein EMI22,8. Our work has shown that in human (Duncan et al. a manuscript submitted to Scientific Reports) and other mammalian species12, zinc spark is a hallmark of egg activation that happens upon parthenogenetic activation or fertilization13. Thus, the zinc spark represents an early marker of the quality of the mammalian egg, one of particular interest because it can be measured extracellularly. The predictive quality of the zinc spark as a marker of the developmental potential of human zygotes, however, is not readily evaluated due to ethical, legal and technical considerations regarding human embryo research. We therefore used a mouse model to determine whether zinc spark profiles are correlated with preimplantation embryo development14,15,16. We measured zinc spark profiles in individual mouse eggs following parthenogenetic activation or in vitro fertilization (IVF) and tracked the development of the resulting parthenotes and embryos, respectively. We found a significant correlation between the amplitude of the fertilization-induced zinc spark and successful embryo development to the blastocyst stage. Prospective se******n of zygotes based on their zinc spark amplitude improved IVF outcomes and more than doubled the blastocyst percentage, indicating that the magnitude of zinc released at the time of fertilization can be used to predict embryo quality. These studies provide strong evidence that the zinc spark, a conserved hallmark of egg activation in multiple mammalian species including human, can be used to predict IVF outcomes.
Results
Distinct ionomycin-induced zinc spark profiles are correlated with egg activation and blastocyst formation

To determine whether there is variability in zinc spark profiles that could underlie differences in the quality of individual eggs, we imaged zinc sparks in eggs collected from the same animal following activation with 5 μM Ca-ionomycin (Ca-Iono). Ca-Iono directly delivers exogenous calcium into the cell and induces a single large intracellular calcium t***sient17. Consistent with our previous findings that a rise in intracellular calcium triggers the zinc spark12, each of the cells treated with Ca-Iono mounted a single zinc spark (Fig. 1A a-f and Movie S1). Of note, each egg had a distinct zinc spark profile, which can be analyzed using a number of parameters including amplitude (maximum peak height), integrated intensity (area under the curve), duration, and rate of rise calculated as amplitude divided by the rising time (Fig. S1).

NOT TRUE, JW, I just checked two dozen websites.

Fertilized human egg emits microscopic flash of light
When an egg is fertilized, the rapid release of zinc creates a spark
Jillian Bell · CBC News · Posted: Apr 27, 2016 5:00 AM ET

For the first time, scientists have proven that when a human egg is fertilized, it releases what are called zinc sparks. Upon fertilization, calcium increases and zinc is rapidly released. When this happens, the zinc joins itself to small, light-emitting molecule probes. In other words, it creates a microscopic flash of light.

JW, I know this is on your denial list, but the spark occurs, even if there is no one to observe it, and before artificially enhancing it with florescence, for publication purposes, scientists observed the spark.

A spark is a spark is a spark, get it?

They did not add florescence to enhance the visibility of a spark that was not there.

Florescence did not create the spark.

I'm moving on.