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A higher incidence of cleavage failure in oocytes containing smooth endoplasmic reticulum clusters

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

Abstract

Purpose

In human oocytes, sERCs are one of the dysmorphic phenotypes that have been reported. Significantly reduced pregnancy rates and a comparatively higher number of abnormities in live births appear to be associated with the presence of sERCs in oocytes. However, some reports have shown that healthy babies can be born, without any reduced pregnancy rates, from oocytes observed to contain sERCs. Thus, the clinical and scientific significance of oocytes that harbor sERCs remains controversial.

Methods

The presence of sERCs was evaluated using a time-lapse system while studying the dynamic changes within oocytes and embryos. Logistic regression analysis was carried out to explore the independent variables for meiotic and mitotic cleavage failure..

Results

The incidence of mitotic cleavage failure and the incidence of meiotic cleavage failure during the second polar body extrusion in oocytes with sERCs were found to be significantly higher than that in oocytes without sERCs. Furthermore, ICSI was found to have a greater frequency of meiotic failure than IVF.

Conclusions

In cases of cleavage failure, an embryonic cell could become tetraploid and may induce abnormal chromosomal configurations. Some cells exposed to cleavage failure may become trophectoderm cells and form placental abnormalities. Even if they develop into trophectoderm cells, the ICM can be susceptible to further cleavage failure and may in turn cause further aneuploidy. For these reasons, it is important to monitor pregnancies and births derived from oocytes that contained sERCs.

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Acknowledgements

We wish to thank Dr. Alex Lopata for editing this paper and rewriting some sections. We would also like to thank Dr. Michio Yamamoto, Associate Professor at Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University for his valuable advice on statistical analysis.

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Author notes

  1. Junko Otsuki

    Present address: Assisted Reproductive Technology Center, Okayama University, 1-1-1 Tsushimanaka, Kita, Okayama, Okayama, 700-0082, Japan

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hanabusa Women’s Clinic, Sannomiya Central Building 2,7,8F 1-1-2 Sannomiya, Chuo, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0021, Japan

    Junko Otsuki, T. Iwasaki, Y. Katada, Y. Tsutsumi, Y. Tsuji, K. Furuhashi, S. Kokeguchi & M. Shiotani

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  1. Junko Otsuki
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  2. T. Iwasaki
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  3. Y. Katada
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Correspondence to Junko Otsuki.

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Otsuki, J., Iwasaki, T., Katada, Y. et al. A higher incidence of cleavage failure in oocytes containing smooth endoplasmic reticulum clusters. J Assist Reprod Genet 35, 899–905 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-018-1119-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-018-1119-3

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