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Fertilisation
Fertilisation can only occur after the spermcell has pased through the eggshell, zona pellucida. The intrusion of one spermcell into the oocyte can occur naturally (see figure) or through ICSI (an assisted reproductive technique); see ICSI in progress (in Dutch). During fertilisation the genetic material of the man and female fuse. This is a complicated natural process and can not be influenced. The fertilised oocyte is now an emrbyo and the first cell divisions will start.
 
A 5-cell embryo
The quality of the embryo determines for a great deal the capacity to implant and grow to become a healthy baby.
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