A quantitative and morphological analysis of oocytes collected during 438 IVF cycles.

PURPOSE: Our purpose was to determine if the number of retrieved oocytes, oocyte maturity, morphology, and other embryological parameters are related to the outcome of treatment.

METHODS

This retrospective study on 438 IVF cycles analyzes the numbers of retrieved oocytes, fractured zona oocytes, germinal vesical-stage oocytes, normally and abnormally fertilized oocytes, pregnancy rate, age of female partner, ovarian stimulation protocol, day of hCG injection, and serum estradiol concentration.

RESULTS

(1) Pregnancy rate increases with an increase in the number of retrieved oocytes, (2) a high incidence of fractured zona pellucida oocytes has a negative effect on fertilization rate but none on pregnancy rate, (3) a high incidence of immature oocytes is associated with improved fertilization and pregnancy rates, and (4) an inverse relationship between the presence of immature oocytes and oocytes with fractured zona pellucida is suggested.

CONCLUSIONS

Precise oocyte assessment in IVF cycles provides informations useful for the analysis and improvement of ovarian stimulation protocols.