Correlation of oocyte morphology with fertilization rate and embryo quality after intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

To determine whether the morphology of the oocyte assessed under light microscopy is related to the results of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). 135 ICSI oocytes from 15 patients were analyzed. Transvaginal ultrasound-guided oocytes retrieval with oocyte morphology evaluation based on shape of the first polar body and perivitelline space followed by ICSI. After 48 hours, embryo quality was evaluated and compared to each pre-injected oocyte morphology. Normal fertilization was achieved in 81.5 per cent of the oocytes (110/135). Abnormal fertilization (3 pronuclei) was 1.5 per cent (2/135). Fertilization rate of oocytes with good morphology was higher than those with poor morphology, but there was no statistical significance (82.4% vs 79.5%; p > 0.05). Oocytes with good morphology were significantly fertilized to be embryos with good quality (p < 0.001). This study suggests that oocyte morphology correlates with embryo quality after ICSI.

Timing of second polar body extrusion and pronuclear formation after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

To determine timing of second polar body extrusion and pronuclear formation to find out when the intracytoplasmic sperm injected (ICSI) oocytes should be checked for successful fertilization. 148 oocytes from 15 patients from January to May 1998 were analyzed. Metaphase II oocytes were followed by ICSI. Fertilization was checked at 2, 4, 6, 8, 16 and 18 hours later for observation of second polar body extrusion and pronuclear formation. Normal fertilization was achieved in 73.6 per cent of the oocytes (109/148). After ICSI at 2, 4, 6, 8, 16 and 18 hours, extrusion of second polar body was 8.3 per cent, 49.5 per cent, 84.4 per cent, 98.2 per cent, 98.2 per cent, 98.2 per cent and pronuclear formation was 0 per cent, 0 per cent, 8.3 per cent, 30.3 per cent, 96.3 per cent, 100 per cent respectively. The earliest extrusion of second polar body and pronuclear formation were at 2 and 6 hours after ICSI respectively. This study suggests that the appropriate time to determine fertilization is at 2, 6 and 18 hours after ICSI.

The effects of depot leuprorelin on IVF.

The trial studied the effects of depot leuprorelin on the IVF cycle and was done on nine couples. A single intramuscular injection of depot leuprorelin was given to the woman a couple days before ovulation. Seven days after ovulation, the serum progesterone level was measured and showed the same normal level as the natural ovulatory cycle. The progesterone levels varied from 12.59 to 96.0 ng/ml. On day three of the menstruation, the hormonal profiles showed a complete pituitary and ovarian suppression. FSH, LH and estrogen levels were less than 4.1 mIU/ml, 2.8 mIU/ml and 9.4 pg/ml respectively. The hMG stimulation took 11 days on average (9-15 days). A hundred and two oocytes were retrieved and among these there were 86 mature oocytes (84.3%). All oocytes were inseminated despite prematurity and resulted in 82.35 per cent fertilization. Normal fertilization occurred in 77.45 per cent (79/102). Good embryos developed in 58.23 per cent (46/79). No more than three embryos were transferred. Four women conceived, among them there was a set of twins. The implantation rate was 44.44 per cent (4/9). One abortion was found in the early first trimester. The take home baby rate was 33.33 per cent (3/9).