Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Association between the proportion of dominant follicles and oocyte developmental competence

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

Abstract

Purpose

To explore the optimal timing for hCG triggering by investigating the impact of different proportion of dominant follicles on the oocyte developmental competence.

Methods

One hundred ninety-eight infertile women were divided into three groups according to the proportion of dominant follicles on hCG day: (1) low: <15 % (n = 66); (2) middle: 15–27 % (n = 66); (3) high: >27 % (n = 66). The grouping criteria were the bottom and top tertiles of the proportion of dominant follicles.

Results

The gonadotropin dosage, duration and maximum follicle diameter in the low proportion group were lower than those in the middle and high proportion groups. Oocyte maturation and the abnormal fertilization rate in the low proportion group were lower than those in the middle and high proportion groups. The normal fertilization rate did not differ among the three groups. The cleavage rate and number of transferable embryos in the low proportion group were significantly higher than those in the high proportion group. The high-quality embryo rate, implantation rate, and pregnancy rate in the low proportion group were significantly higher than those in the middle and high proportion groups.

Conclusions

A high proportion of dominant follicles are closely associated with impaired oocyte developmental competence and low pregnancy rate. These findings suggest that follicular overgrowth induced by delayed hCG triggering may undermine oocyte developmental competence and the proportion of dominant follicles may be a potential parameters for hCG triggering.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Wittmaack FM, Kreger DO, Blasco L, Tureck RW, Mastroianni Jr L, Lessey BA. Effect of follicular size on oocyte retrieval, fertilization, cleavage, and embryo quality in in vitro fertilization cycles: a 6-year data collection. Fertil Steril. 1994;62:1205–10.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Ectors FJ, Vanderzwalmen P, Van Hoeck J, Nijs M, Verhaegen G, Delvigne A, et al. Relationship of human follicular diameter with oocyte fertilization and development after in-vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Hum Reprod. 1997;12:2002–5.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Scott RT, Hofmann GE, Muasher SJ, Acosta AA, Kreiner DK, Rosenwaks Z. Correlation of follicular diameter with oocyte recovery and maturity at the time of transvaginal follicular aspiration. J In Vitro Fert Embryo Transf. 1989;6:73–5.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Fluker M, Grifo J, Leader A, Levy M, Meldrum D, Muasher SJ, et al. Efficacy and safety of ganirelix acetate versus leuprolide acetate in women undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation. Fertil Steril. 2001;75:38–45.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Garcia-Velasco JA, Isaza V, Vidal C, Landazábal A, Remohí J, Simón C, et al. Human ovarian steroid secretion in vivo: effects of GnRH agonist versus antagonist (cetrorelix). Hum Reprod. 2001;16:2533–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. De Jong D, Macklon NS, Eijkemans MJ, Mannaerts BM, Coelingh Bennink HJ, Fauser BC, et al. Dynamics of the development of multiple follicles during ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization using recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (Puregon) and various doses of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist ganirelix (Orgalutran/Antagon). Fertil Steril. 2001;75:688–93.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Miller KF, Goldberg JM, Falcone T. Follicle size and implantation of embryos from in vitro fertilization. Obstet Gynecol. 1996;88:583–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Dubey AK, Wang HA, Duffy P, Penzias AS. The correlation between follicular measurements, oocyte morphology, and fertilization rates in an in vitro fertilization program. Fertil Steril. 1995;64:787–90.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Haines CJ, Emes AL. The relationship between follicle diameter, fertilization rate, and microscopic embryo quality. Fertil Steril. 1991;55:205–7.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Rosen MP, Shen S, Dobson AT, Rinaudo PF, McCulloch CE, Cedars MI. A quantitative assessment of follicle size on oocyte developmental competence. Fertil Steril. 2008;90:684–90.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Bergh C, Broden H, Lundin K, Hamberger L. Comparison of fertilization, cleavage and pregnancy rates of oocytes from large and small follicles. Hum Reprod. 1998;13:1912–5.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Boni R, Cuomo A, Tosti E. Developmental potential in bovine oocytes is related to cumulus-oocyte complex grade, calcium current activity, and calcium stores. Biol Reprod. 2002;66:836–42.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. De Wit AA, Wurth YA, Kruip TA. Effect of ovarian phase and follicle quality on morphology and developmental capacity of the bovine cumulus-oocyte complex. J Anim Sci. 2000;78:1277–83.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Sato C, Shimada M, Mori T, Kumasako Y, Otsu E, Watanabe H, et al. Assessment of human oocyte developmental competence by cumulus cell morphologyand circulating hormone profile. Reprod Biomed Online. 2007;14:49–56.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Wunder DM, Mueller MD, Birkhäuser MH, Bersinger NA. Steroids and protein markers in the follicular fluid as indicators of oocyte quality in patients with and without endometriosis. J Assist Reprod Gene. 2005;22:257–64.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Xia P, Younglai EV. Relationship between steroid concentrations in ovarian follicular fluid and oocyte morphology in patients undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment. J Reprod Fertil. 2000;118:229–33.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Garrido N, Navarro J, Remohí J, Simón C, Pellicer A. Follicular hormonal environment and embryo quality in women with endometriosis. Hum Reprod Update. 2000;6:67–74.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Chuang M, Zapantis A, Taylor M, Jindal SK, Neal-Perry GS, Lieman HJ, et al. Prolonged gonadotropin stimulation is associated with decreased ART success. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2010;27:711–7.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Ryan A, Wang S, Alvero R, Polotsky AJ. Prolonged gonadotropin stimulation for assisted reproductive technology cycles is associated with decreased pregnancy rates for all women except for women with polycystic ovary syndrome. J Assist Reprod Genet 2014 May 28. [Epub ahead of print]

  20. Kolibianakis EM, Albano C, Camus M, Tournaye H, Van Steirteghem AC, Devroey P. Prolongation of the follicular phase in in vitro fertilization results in a lower ongoing pregnancy rate in cycles stimulated with recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone and gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonists. Fertil Steril. 2004;82:102–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Erickson GF, Danforth DR. Ovarian control of follicle development. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1995;172:736–47.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Roy SK. Regulation of ovarian follicular development: a review of microscopic studies. Microsc Res Tech. 1994;27:83–96.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We gratefully acknowledged the generous supports of the National Science Fund of China (No. 81200417 and 81200476), the Doctoral Fund of the Ministry of Education of China (No. 20120171120093 and 20120171120122), the Science Fund of Guangdong Province (S2012040007621 and S2012040007770), the Medical Research Fund of Guangdong Province (B2012104 and B2012150), the Young Teacher Fund of Sun Yat-sen University (11ykpy24), the Project of Science and Technology New Star in Zhu Jiang of Guangzhou City (2014 J2200044), and the Yat-sen Scholarship for Young Scientist.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Reproductive Medicine Research Center, Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, 107 Yan-Jiang-Xi Road, Guangzhou, 510120, People’s Republic of China

    Yi Li, Rui-Qi Li, Song-Bang Ou, Ning-Feng Zhang, Qing-Xue Zhang & Dong-Zi Yang

  2. Ultrasound Diagnostic Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical Colleage, 23 Qing-nian Road, Gangzhou, 341000, China

    Ling Ren

  3. Reproductive Medicine Research Center, Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, 17 Shou-gou-ling Road, Guangzhou, 510655, People’s Republic of China

    Li-Na Wei

Authors
  1. Yi Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Rui-Qi Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Song-Bang Ou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Ling Ren
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Ning-Feng Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Li-Na Wei
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Qing-Xue Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Dong-Zi Yang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Li-Na Wei.

Additional information

Capsule Association between the proportion of dominant follicles and oocyte quality.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Li, Y., Li, RQ., Ou, SB. et al. Association between the proportion of dominant follicles and oocyte developmental competence. J Assist Reprod Genet 31, 1599–1604 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-014-0337-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-014-0337-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation