Abstract
Ultrasonic studies for the detection of a cumulus oophorus were carried out in 57 women taking part in an in vitro fertilization (IVF) program. When intrafollicular echoes were dissociated, clearly prominent from the follicular wall, they were considered to be a sure cumulus mass, and when they were only slightly prominent, they were suspected to be a nondissociated cumulus. All patients had at least one ultrasonically visible cumulus. A cumulus was seen in 50% of the follicles and 70% of them were dissociated. Cumuluses were also seen in follicles <18 mm in diameter but a significantly higher number of them were not clearly dissociated. The number of observed dissociated cumuluses correlated significantly with the number of recovered mature oocytes. However, in 18 patients there were more mature oocytes retrieved than cumuluses identified by ultrasound. When a cumulus mass is seen, it can be taken as evidence of a sign of maturity of that particular follicle and oocyte. However, mature oocytes are also found where no cumulus was seen by ultrasound. Lack of visible cumulus has little significance in predicting the maturity of the oocyte.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
O'Herlihy C, de Crespigny LCh, Robinson HP: Monitoring ovarian follicular development with real-time ultrasound. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 1980;87:613–618
Hackelöer BJ, Fleming R, Robinson HP, Adam AH, Coutts JRT: Correlation of ultrasonic and endocrinological assessment of human follicular development. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1979;135:122–128
Ylöstalo P, Lindgren G, Nillius SJ: Ultrasonic measurements of ovarian follicles, ovarian and uterine size during induction of ovulation with human gonadotropins. Acta Endocrinol (Copenhagen) 1981;98:592–598
de Crespigny LCH, O'Herlihy C, Robinson HP: Ultrasonic observation of the mechanism of human ovulation. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1981;139:636–639
Hackelöer BJ, Robinson HP: Ultraschalldarstellung des wachen follikels und corpus luteum in normalen physiolcgischen zyklus. Geburts Frauenheik 1978;38:163–168
Bomsel-Helreich O, Bessis R, Huyen LVN: Cumulus oophorus of the preovulatory follicle assessed by ultrasound and histology.In Ultrasound and Infertility, AD Christie (ed). London, England, Chartwell-Bratt, 1981, pp 89–103
Kerin JF, Edmonds DK, Warnes GH, Cox LW, Seamark RF, Matthews CD, Young GB, Baird DT: Morphological and functional relations of Graafian follicle growth to ovulation in women using ultrasonic, laparoscopic and biochemical measurements. Br J Obstet Gynecol 1981;88:81–89
Lenz S: Ultrasonic study of follicular maturation, ovulation and development of corpus luteum during normal menstrual cycles. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 1985;64:15–19
Laufer N, Tarlatzis BC, de Cherney AH, Masters JT, Haseltine FP, Mac Lusky N, Naftolin F: Asynchrony between human cumulus-corona cell complex and oocyte maturation after human menopausal gonadotropin treatment for in vitro fertilization. Fertil Steril 1984;42:366–372
Veeck LL, Wartham JWE, Witmyer J, Sandow BA, Acosta AA, Garcia JE, Jones GS, Jones HW Jr: Maturation and fertilization of morphologically immature human oocytes in a program of in vitro fertilization. Fertil Steril 1983;39:594–602
Buttery B, Trounson A, MacMaster R, Wood C: Evaluation of diagnostic ultrasound as a parameter of follicular development in an in vitro fertilization program. Fertil Stealt 1983;39:458–463
Garcia JE, Jones GS, Acosta AA, Wright G Jr: Human menopausal gonadotropin/human chorionic gonadotropin follicular maturation for oocyte aspiration: Phase II, 1983. Fertil Steril 1983;39:174–179
Roberts AB, Graham FM, Binkerd P: Ultrasonic preovulatory follicular appearance as an indicator of the outcome of an in vitro fertilization cycle. Fertil Steril 1985;43:560–564
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Cacciatore, B., Liukkonen, S., Koskimies, A.I. et al. Ultrasonic detection of a cumulus oophorus in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization. J Assist Reprod Genet 2, 224–228 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01201801
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01201801