Noninvasive assays of in vitro matured human oocytes showed insignificant correlation with fertilization and embryo development (original) (raw)
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Polish Gynaecology, 2014
Objectives: IVF-ICSI procedures are accompanied by a continuous search for predictors of ART outcome. The properties of zona pellucida (ZP) have been believed to reflect the history of oocyte cytoplasmic maturation. The meiotic spindle (MS) is crucial for chromosomal alignment and proper separation of the maternal chromosomes. There is data suggesting that birefringent ZP and MS can clinically predict the oocyte quality and developmental potential of an embryo. The aim of the study was to examine the possible effect of ZP birefringent properties and MS visualization and localization as valuable predictors of IVF-ICSI effectiveness. Material and methods: The prospective study was performed during a 16-month period. A total of 51 patients undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) treatment procedure with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) were included. Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) was done using either a long n=32 (62.75%) or an antagonist protocol n=19. In the group of the 48 examined patients (aged 25-40), 46 ET were performed, resulting in 24 positive pregnancy tests and 19 (39.59%) clinical pregnancies. Oocytes were examined as follows: ZP birefringence autoscoring (OCTAX PolarAIDE), numeral autoscoring, thickness and clinical evaluation; MS visualization, if MS was visualized, localization of MS in relation to the polar body (PB). Results: On day 3, 64.3% of the embryos were of good and 40.3% were of top quality. Visible differences, not statistically significant, were observed in the numeral score of ZP between oocytes selected and non-selected for ET. In cases when embryos were not of good or top quality, ZP score was higher (p=0.005 p=0.001). ZP manual evaluation indicated significantly stronger birefringence when pregnancy was not achieved (p=0.022). The rate of MS positive oocytes was the highest in the group with pregnancy, but it did not reach statistical significance (p= 0.471). The MS localization in relation to the PB was in most oocytes very close (<45o) in 70.9% and not different in the studied groups. Conclusions: Unexpected polarization microscopy imaging and rating of ZP and MS cannot be a direct predictor of the IVF outcome.
Reproductive BioMedicine Online, 2009
The meiotic spindle and the zona pellucida exhibit molecular order when imaged with polarized optics. This study aimed to investigate possible factors contributing to the zona pellucida birefringence score and meiotic spindle visualization, and to evaluate whether these structures may predict intracytoplasmic sperm injection outcomes. Oocytes were divided into groups according to zona pellucida birefringence and meiotic spindle visualization. In addition, the cycles were split into three groups based on the zona birefringence of transferred embryos. A positive correlation was observed between zona birefringence and meiotic spindle visualization. In addition, when the meiotic spindle was observed, the fertilization rate among oocytes with high or low zona pellucida birefringence was similar. Implantation and pregnancy rates were significantly higher when embryos derived from high birefringence oocytes were exclusively transferred (P = 0.041 and P = 0.004 respectively). Furthermore, the miscarriage rate was higher when embryos derived from low birefringence oocytes were exclusively transferred. On the other hand, the total dose of FSH negatively affected meiotic spindle visualization. Results show that selection of embryos based on zona pellucida and meiotic spindle imaging can significantly improve implantation and pregnancy rates. Moreover, the dose of FSH used for ovarian stimulation may affect the organization of the oocyte meiotic spindle.
Zona pellucida birefringence in in vivo and in vitro matured oocytes
Fertility and Sterility, 2010
Objective: To evaluate zona pellucida birefringence (ZPB) in immature and mature oocytes collected after controlled ovarian stimulation and to assess the influence of ZPB on oocyte development. Design: Prospective study. Setting(s): Private assisted reproduction centre. Patient(s): Thirty patients undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Intervention(s): The ZPB of mature and immature oocytes was evaluated using a polarization imaging software module, and the oocytes were classified as high birefringence (HB) or low birefringence. Main Outcome Measure(s): The ZPB of in vivo and in vitro matured oocytes and its influence on spontaneous nuclear maturation in vitro, fertilization, and embryo quality. Result(s): The percentage of HB oocytes was higher in immature than in mature oocytes (40.1 vs. 23.6%). Among immature oocytes, an increased percentage of HB in prophase-I stage oocytes compared to metaphase I stage oocytes was also observed (50.7 vs. 25.0%). However, the percentage of HB oocytes did not change when comparing oocytes before and after in vitro maturation for both prophase I and metaphase I oocytes. No influence of ZPB was observed on the spontaneous in vitro maturation potential. Exclusively for metaphase II retrieved oocytes, a positive influence of ZPB on fertilization (odds ratio [OR], 1.78; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.27-2.49) and embryo quality (OR, 2.28; 95% CI, 1.04-4.99) was noted. Conclusion(s): ZPB may be a useful tool to predict embryo quality for metaphase-II oocytes. Moreover, the completion of nuclear changes in the production of metaphase-II oocytes in vitro may not reflect their molecular maturity.
Zygote, 2014
SummaryThe aim of this study was to determine the morphological characteristics of the older reproductive aged women's oocytes and to reveal the influence of these characteristics on intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcomes. The oocytes of women older than 35 years of age were evaluated retrospectively. Non-invasive polarization microscopy (PolScope) examinations of mature oocytes were performed by measurement of meiotic spindles’ length, area and retardance and zona pellucida thickness and retardance. Fertilization and conception competence and the correlation with the birefringent structures were assessed. Two hundred and thirteen mature oocytes from 54 women were evaluated with a PolScope. Length of the meiotic spindle was shown to be related to fertilization success of women with advanced maternal age. In conclusion, the PolScope is a useful device used to identify the oocyte quality. Quantitative measurements of meiotic spindle parameters may be valuable for the se...
BMC Genomics, 2015
Background: Selection of the best oocyte for subsequent steps of fertilization and embryo transfer was shown to be the crucial step in human infertility treatment procedure. Oocyte selection using morphological criteria mainly Zona pellucida (ZP) has been the gold standard method in assisted reproductive technologies (ART) clinics, but this selection approach has limitations in terms of accuracy, objectivity and constancy. Recent studies using OMICsbased approaches have allowed the identification of key molecular markers that quantitatively and non-invasively predict the oocyte quality for higher pregnancy rates and efficient infertility treatment. These biomarkers are a valuable reinforcement of the morphological selection criteria widely used in in vitro fertilization (IVF) clinics. In this context, this study was designed to investigate the relationship between transcriptomic predictors of oocyte quality found by our group and the conventional morphological parameters of oocyte quality mainly the ZP birefringence.
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics, 2012
Purpose To clarify if birefringent structures of human oocytes and embryos, measurable by polarized light microscopy, have any value in predicting the chance of pregnancy in human in vitro fertilization and may halp to identify the most competent oocytes and embryos. Methods The inner layer of the zona pellucida (IL-ZP) and the meiotic spindle (MS) were analyzed by polarized light microscopy in 258 oocytes and in the 209 embryos deriving from them. Data obtained from 102 ICSI cycles with conception were compared with those obtained in 156 cycles without conception. The retardance and area of the IL-ZP, as well as the retardance, length of the major axis, and area of the MS were measured. Furthermore, polarized light microscopy parameters were related to the embryo morphological score by multiple regression analysis. Result(s) The mean area of the IL-ZP of both oocytes and embryos was significantly lower in conception than in nonconception cycles (p00.0001 for oocytes and p00.002 for embryos). The area of the IL-ZP in embryos was significantly, inversely related to the embryo morphological score (p00.011). The area, the major axis length and the retarcance of the MS, as well as the retardance of the IL-ZP in oocytes and embryos were comparable in conception and non-conception cycles.
Fertility and Sterility, 2008
Objective: To evaluate the relationship between spindle visualization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcomes in controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) cycles. Design: Prospective study. Setting: Assisted reproduction center. Patient(s): Thirty patients undergoing ICSI cycles. Intervention(s): Meiotic spindle was evaluated before ICSI in 234 in vivo-and 101 in vitro-matured oocytes Main Outcome Measure(s): Meiotic spindle imaging, fertilization rate, and embryo development. Result(s): Spindle was present in 74.3% and 73.8% of the in vivo-and in vitro-matured oocytes, respectively. Spindle detection rate in oocytes derived from germinal vesicle and metaphase-I stage was, respectively, 50% and 86%. The fertilization rate achieved by the in vivo-matured oocytes was 71.8%, and spindle was detected in 75.6% of the fertilized oocytes and only 34.8.% of the nonfertilized oocytes. In the in vitro-matured oocytes, the fertilization rate was 66.1%, and spindle was detected in 81.4% of the fertilized oocytes and in 59.1% of the nonfertilized oocytes. Ten out of 43 (23.2%) in vitro-matured derived embryos were considered to be high quality, all derived from spindledetected oocytes, which represents an increase of 13.0% on the overall number of high-quality embryos. Conclusion(s): Meiotic spindle imaging may be useful to predict in vitro-matured oocyte development. However, other factors may contribute to the decreased developmental competence of in vitro-matured oocytes. (Fertil Steril Ò 2008;90:429-33.
Relevance and Methodology for the Morphological Analysis of Oocyte Quality in IVF and ICSI
Journal of Reproductive Biotechnology and Fertility, 2011
Oocytes collected from patients following ovarian stimulation exhibit varying qualities. The quality of oocytes has an effect on its subsequent fertilization, developmental competence postfertilization and the viability of resultant embryos. The aim of this article was to review the morphological criteria devised for assessment of oocyte quality by ordinary light and polarized light microscopy before IVF or ICSI. The parameters employed in the evaluation of oocyte morphology include the appearance of: structure of the cumulus-oocyte complex, oocyte cytoplasm, perivitelline space, zona pellucida, polar body and meiotic spindle. The authors have nothing to declare.
Visualization and Examination of the Meiotic Spindle in Human Oocytes with Polscope
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics, 2004
The effect of detectability/location of meiotic spindle to fertilization of human MII oocytes and outcome of clinical IVF/ICSI-ET cycles was studied. Methods : The location of spindle relative to polar body positioned to 6 o'clock was detected with polscope prior to ICSI in oocytes. Data of 83 IVF/ICSI-ET cycle, including pregnancy results, and a total of 1033 oocytes examined were analyzed retrospectively. Results : Polar body position does not always accurately predict spindle position. Similar fertilization was observed in the polscope detected and in the control group. The main number of oocytes and spindle positive oocytes collected was higher in the pregnant than in the nonpregnant group. Higher fertilization was found in that group where 2/3-d of the oocytes had detected spindle. The main number of oocytes and spindle positive oocytes obtained decreased with increasing age of patients. Conclusions : The presence of birefringent spindle predicts higher fertilization and development and greater probability of pregnancy.