Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Oocyte morphology does not affect post-warming survival rate in an egg-cryobanking donation program

  • Gamete Biology
  • Published:
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate whether oocyte dysmorphisms affect oocyte survival rates in an egg-cryobanking donation program.

Methods

This study included 54 patients undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection. A total of 415 metaphase II oocytes were vitrified using the Cryotop method. Oocyte morphology was assessed immediately prior to oocyte vitrification under 400× magnification. The influence of dysmorphisms on post-thaw survival rates was assessed using regression analysis. Results were considered to be significant at the 5% critical level.

Results

Oocyte survival rate was not affected by the presence of the following analysed oocyte abnormalities: increased cytoplasmic granularity, vacuoles in the ooplasm, aggregates of smooth endoplasmic reticulum in the ooplasm, large perivitelline space size, perivitelline space granularity, fragmented first polar body and zona pellucida abnormalities.

Conclusions

Oocyte morphology, observed prior to vitrification, does not predict post-warming survival. The non-invasive identification of predictive markers for oocyte survival potential remains a difficult task.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Cobo A, Diaz C. Clinical application of oocyte vitrification: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Fertil Steril. 2011;96:277–85.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Gook DA, Edgar DH. Human oocyte cryopreservation. Hum Reprod Update. 2007;13:591–605.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Smith GD, Motta EE, Serafini P. Theoretical and experimental basis of oocyte vitrification. Reprod Biomed Online. 2011;23:298–306.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Jones A, Van Blerkom J, Davis P, Toledo AA. Cryopreservation of metaphase II human oocytes effects mitochondrial membrane potential: implications for developmental competence. Hum Reprod. 2004;19:1861–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Carroll J, Depypere H, Matthews CD. Freeze-thaw-induced changes of the zona pellucida explains decreased rates of fertilization in frozen-thawed mouse oocytes. J Reprod Fertil. 1990;90:547–53.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Fuku E, Xia L, Downey BR. Ultrastructural changes in bovine oocytes cryopreserved by vitrification. Cryobiology. 1995;32:139–56.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Vincent C, Pruliere G, Pajot-Augy E, Campion E, Garnier V, Renard JP. Effects of cryoprotectants on actin filaments during the cryopreservation of one-cell rabbit embryos. Cryobiology. 1990;27:9–23.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Le Gal F, Gasqui P, Renard JP. Differential osmotic behavior of mammalian oocytes before and after maturation: a quantitative analysis using goat oocytes as a model. Cryobiology. 1994;31:154–70.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Magistrini M, Szollosi D. Effects of cold and of isopropyl-N-phenylcarbamate on the second meiotic spindle of mouse oocytes. Eur J Cell Biol. 1980;22:699–707.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Tharasanit T, Colenbrander B, Stout TA. Effect of maturation stage at cryopreservation on post-thaw cytoskeleton quality and fertilizability of equine oocytes. Mol Reprod Dev. 2006;73:627–37.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Wu J, Zhang L, Wang X. In vitro maturation, fertilization and embryo development after ultrarapid freezing of immature human oocytes. Reproduction. 2001;121:389–93.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Pickering SJ, Braude PR, Johnson MH, Cant A, Currie J. Transient cooling to room temperature can cause irreversible disruption of the meiotic spindle in the human oocyte. Fertil Steril. 1990;54:102–8.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Nottola SA, Macchiarelli G, Coticchio G, et al. Ultrastructure of human mature oocytes after slow cooling cryopreservation using different sucrose concentrations. Hum Reprod. 2007;22:1123–33.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Van der Elst J, Van den Abbeel E, Jacobs R, Wisse E, Van Steirteghem A. Effect of 1,2-propanediol and dimethylsulphoxide on the meiotic spindle of the mouse oocyte. Hum Reprod. 1988;3:960–7.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Rienzi L, Martinez F, Ubaldi F, et al. Polscope analysis of meiotic spindle changes in living metaphase II human oocytes during the freezing and thawing procedures. Hum Reprod. 2004;19:655–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Figueira RD, de Almeida Ferreira Braga DP, Semiao-Francisco L, Madaschi C, Iaconelli A, Iaconelli Jr A, Borges Jr E. Metaphase II human oocyte morphology: contributing factors and effects on fertilization potential and embryo developmental ability in ICSI cycles. Fertil Steril. 2010;94:1115–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Parmegiani L, Cognigni GE, Bernardi S, et al. Freezing within 2 h from oocyte retrieval increases the efficiency of human oocyte cryopreservation when using a slow freezing/rapid thawing protocol with high sucrose concentration. Hum Reprod. 2008;23:1771–7.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Fosas N, Marina F, Torres PJ, et al. The births of five Spanish babies from cryopreserved donated oocytes. Hum Reprod. 2003;18:1417–21.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Kuwayama M, Vajta G, Kato O, Leibo SP. Highly efficient vitrification method for cryopreservation of human oocytes. Reprod Biomed Online. 2005;11:300–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Cobo A, Meseguer M, Remohi J, Pellicer A. Use of cryo-banked oocytes in an ovum donation programme: a prospective, randomized, controlled, clinical trial. Hum Reprod. 2010;25:2239–46.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Gook DA, Osborn SM, Johnston WI. Cryopreservation of mouse and human oocytes using 1,2-propanediol and the configuration of the meiotic spindle. Hum Reprod. 1993;8:1101–9.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Vincent C, Pickering SJ, Johnson MH, Quick SJ. Dimethylsulphoxide affects the organisation of microfilaments in the mouse oocyte. Mol Reprod Dev. 1990;26:227–35.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Fabbri R, Porcu E, Marsella T, Rocchetta G, Venturoli S, Flamigni C. Human oocyte cryopreservation: new perspectives regarding oocyte survival. Hum Reprod. 2001;16:411–6.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Balaban B, Urman B. Effect of oocyte morphology on embryo development and implantation. Reprod Biomed Online. 2006;12:608–15.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Rienzi L, Vajta G, Ubaldi F. Predictive value of oocyte morphology in human IVF: a systematic review of the literature. Hum Reprod Update. 2010;17:34–45.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Otsuki J, Okada A, Morimoto K, Nagai Y, Kubo H. The relationship between pregnancy outcome and smooth endoplasmic reticulum clusters in MII human oocytes. Hum Reprod. 2004;19:1591–7.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Kahraman S, Yakin K, Donmez E, et al. Relationship between granular cytoplasm of oocytes and pregnancy outcome following intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Hum Reprod. 2000;15:2390–3.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Ebner T, Moser M, Tews G. Is oocyte morphology prognostic of embryo developmental potential after ICSI? Reprod Biomed Online. 2006;12:507–12.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. ALPHA Scientists In Reproductive Medicine; ESHRE Special Interest Group Embryology. The Istanbul consensus workshop on embryo assessment: proceedings of an expert meeting. Hum Reprod. 2011;26:1270–83.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Setti AS, Figueira RC, Braga DP, Colturato SS, Iaconelli A Jr., Borges E Jr. Relationship between oocyte abnormal morphology and intracytoplasmic sperm injection outcomes: a meta-analysis. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol In press.

  31. Maldonaldo I, Bermudez A, Varghese A, Gaytan J, Sharma R, Agarwal A. Oocyte dysmorphism is not a limiting factor for post-thaw survival following vitrification by cryotop method. Fertil Steril. 2008;90:S283.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sapientiae Institute – Educational and Research Centre in Assisted Reproduction, Rua Vieira Maciel, 62, 04203-040, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

    Amanda Souza Setti, Daniela Paes de Almeida Ferreira Braga, Assumpto Iaconelli Jr. & Edson Borges Jr.

  2. Fertility – Assisted Fertilisation Centre, Av. Brigadeiro Luis Antonio, 4545, 01401-002, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

    Rita de Cássia Savio Figueira, Daniela Paes de Almeida Ferreira Braga, Renata Cristina Ferreira, Assumpto Iaconelli Jr. & Edson Borges Jr.

Authors
  1. Amanda Souza Setti
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Rita de Cássia Savio Figueira
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Daniela Paes de Almeida Ferreira Braga
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Renata Cristina Ferreira
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Assumpto Iaconelli Jr.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Edson Borges Jr.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Edson Borges Jr..

Additional information

Capsule

Oocyte morphology, observed prior to vitrification, does not predict post-warming survival.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Setti, A.S., Figueira, R.d.C.S., Braga, D.P.d.A.F. et al. Oocyte morphology does not affect post-warming survival rate in an egg-cryobanking donation program. J Assist Reprod Genet 28, 1177–1181 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-011-9677-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-011-9677-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation