The invention relates to a sampling needle, in particular to a needle suitablefor oocyte retrieval from a human or animal subject, said needle comprising afirst tubular region in fluid communication with a second tubular region, thefirst tubular region comprising a leading end for insertion into a subject andthe second tubular region comprising a trailing end for fluid communicationwith a means for receiving a fluid, in which the first tubular region has an outerdiameter which is less than the outer diameter of the second tubular region andthe first tubular region has an inner diameter which is less than the inner diameterof the second tubular region.The invention also relates to a method of retrievinga sample, in particular an oocyte, from a human or animal subject.
