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Relationship between meiotic spindle characteristics in human oocytes and the timing of the first zygotic cleavage after intracytoplasmic sperm injection

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

Abstract

Purpose

To investigate the relationship between meiotic spindle characteristics in human oocytes and the timing of the first zygotic cleavage after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

Methods

Zygotes that had cleaved to two-cell stage by 27 h post-ICSI were classified as early cleaving and the remainder as late cleaving. Meiotic spindle parameters previously imaged using the PolScope were compared between the two groups.

Results

Of 384 embryos, 163 were classed as early cleaving and 221 as late cleaving. The rate of blastocyst formation or pregnancy by Day 2 embryo transfer was significantly higher following early cleavage than after late cleavage (52.4% vs. 24.4% or 32.6% vs. 11.4%). Spindle areas (108.0 vs. 89.8 μm2), lengths (14.7 vs. 13.4 μm) and PolScope retardance were also significantly greater in the early cleaving group.

Conclusions

Meiotic spindle parameters determine the timing of the first zygotic cleavage and are strong indicators of human embryo developmental potential.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. IVF Nagata Clinic, Fukuoka, 810-0001, Japan

    Hiroyuki Tomari, Kou Honjou & Yumi Nagata

  2. Graduate School of Comprehensive Scientific Research, Prefectural University of Hiroshima, Hiroshima, 727-0023, Japan

    Hiroyuki Tomari & Toshitaka Horiuchi

Authors
  1. Hiroyuki Tomari
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  2. Kou Honjou
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  3. Yumi Nagata
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  4. Toshitaka Horiuchi
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Toshitaka Horiuchi.

Additional information

Capsule A relationship exists between post-ICSI meiotic spindle characteristics, the timing of zygotic cleavage, and blastocyst formation. This may assist selection of competent embryos for transfer.

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Tomari, H., Honjou, K., Nagata, Y. et al. Relationship between meiotic spindle characteristics in human oocytes and the timing of the first zygotic cleavage after intracytoplasmic sperm injection. J Assist Reprod Genet 28, 1099–1104 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-011-9634-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-011-9634-5

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