When examined physiologically, one of the most critical stages of fertilization after a sperm cell enters an egg cell is oocyte activation. Normally, this stage begins physiologically following the fusion of the sperm and oocyte membranes, triggered by the release of certain factors from the sperm head (Sperm Oocyte-Activator Factor – SOAF) through the release of calcium (Ca+2 oscillation) via a molecule called inositol trisphosphate (IP3).

In IVF treatments, sometimes the eggs collected from the female partner may not fertilize after sperm injection (ICSI). This is referred to as fertilization failure. When the egg does not activate through physiological mechanisms after ICSI, activating the egg through artificial methods has been considered, and several methods have been developed for this purpose. Among these methods are “PLCzeta” microinjection and “ionophore therapy,” but these have been associated with negative outcomes such as increased sperm DNA damage rates and premature acrosome reaction (the acrosome reaction beginning before sperm integration into the oocyte), or have failed to achieve sufficient success in many cases.

Recently, the “Piezoelectric Activation” method has been added to the list of artificial activation methods for egg fertilization. The mechanism of piezoelectric application involves stimulating calcium channel proteins within the egg's cell membrane through electromagnetic current, which in turn triggers calcium oscillation (calcium influx) following the opening of these channels. This method is becoming increasingly widespread. Gen-art IVF and Reproductive Biotechnology Center is one of the first clinics in the world, not just in our country, to use the piezoelectric method. Our first article reporting successful results with the piezoelectric method in patients with fertilization problems (TFF cases) was published years ago in 2010 in “Fertility & Sterility,” one of the world's most prestigious journals on infertility (Fertility and Sterility Vol. 94, No. 3, August 2010). The fact that this technology has now been adopted by many clinics underscores the significance of the term “biotechnology” in Gen-Art's name.