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An oocyte score for use in assisted reproduction

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

Abstract

Purpose

In this work, we describe a system for the morphological scoring of human oocytes prior to fertilisation and use this system to test whether oocyte morphology is an indicator of fertilisation, embryo development and implantation potential.

Methods

The study is a prospective trial of the use of oocyte morphological scores in 822 patients undergoing their first cycle of ICSI. Analyses of oocytes were performed prior to ICSI procedures and the scores compared with fertilisation rates, embryo quality and clinical results.

Results

‘Top quality’ oocytes had a significantly higher level of fertilisation (96%) as compared to low scoring oocytes (25.6%). Where top quality oocytes formed top quality embryos, we noted a clinical success rate of 63.4%.

Conclusions

Clinical success rates were increased in cases where top quality oocytes formed top quality embryos after ICSI. The analysis of oocyte morphology may represent a positive selection feature during ICSI.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Vincenzo Monfrecola for his assistance in the completion of this work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Reproductive Biology, Clinica Villa del Sole, Via Manzoni, 15, 80126, Naples, Italy

    Martin Wilding, Loredana Di Matteo & Brian Dale

  2. Facolta di Medicina e Chirurgia, II Università degli Studi di Napoli, Via Costantinopoli, 16, Naples, Italy

    Loredana Di Matteo

  3. Clinica Villa Serena, Viale Europa, 12, 71100, Foggia, Italy

    Sonia D’Andretti, Nadia Montanaro & Clemente Capobianco

Authors
  1. Martin Wilding
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  2. Loredana Di Matteo
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  3. Sonia D’Andretti
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  4. Nadia Montanaro
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  5. Clemente Capobianco
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  6. Brian Dale
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Martin Wilding.

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Capsule

A system for scoring oocyte morphology is presented. Data suggests that this system can be used to select oocytes for insemination during ICSI cycles.

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Wilding, M., Di Matteo, L., D’Andretti, S. et al. An oocyte score for use in assisted reproduction. J Assist Reprod Genet 24, 350–358 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-007-9143-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-007-9143-8

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