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Morphokinetics of embryos developed from oocytes matured in vitro

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

Abstract

Purpose

In in vitro maturation (IVM) cycles primed with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), both immature and mature oocytes are retrieved from antral follicles sized 8–12 mm. Using time-lapse microscopy, we compared the morphokinetic behavior of embryos developed from oocytes matured in vivo and in vitro, testing the hypothesis that IVM affects preimplantation development. Furthermore, we extended the morphokinetic analysis of these embryos by a comparison with embryos obtained in stimulated assisted reproduction technology (ART) cycles.

Methods

In IVM cycles primed with follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)/hCG, prior to sperm microinjection, oocytes surrounded by an expanded cumulus at retrieval and presumably mature (EC-MII) were incubated for 6 h, while immature oocytes enclosed in a compact cumulus (CC) were matured in vitro for 30 h. The morphokinetics of embryos selected for transfer or cryopreservation, derived from EC-MII and CC oocytes, were comparatively and retrospectively analyzed in terms of cleavage times (t2, t3, t4, t5, and t8) and intervals (cc2, cc3, s2, s3). For further comparison, the morphokinetics of embryos selected for transfer or cryopreservation (ICSI) or giving rise to ongoing pregnancies (model) in stimulated ART cycles was also assessed.

Results

The morphokinetic behavior of EC-MII and CC embryos was entirely comparable, as suggested by the absence of statistical differences in the averages of all cleavage times and intervals. Almost all cleavage and interval times were also similar between EC-MII, CC, ICSI, and model groups, with the exception of t4 and s2, which were delayed and longer, respectively, in embryos generated in IVM cycles (EC-MII and CC).

Conclusions

These findings do not support the hypothesis that maturation in vitro affects embryo morphokinetics, while they suggest only marginal differences in the morphokinetics of embryos developed from oocytes matured in vivo and in vitro in IVM cycles and embryos developed from mature oocytes recovered in stimulated cycles.

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Authors’ contributions

MDC was responsible for the design, database elaboration, and critical reading; PVN for the embryology, morphokinetic annotation, database elaboration, and critical reading; GC for the design, data assessment, critical reading and manuscript writing; FB for the embryology and morphokinetic annotation; CB for the clinical work; MMR for the design and clinical work; EDP for the statistical analysis; and RF for the design and critical reading.

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Correspondence to Giovanni Coticchio.

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The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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Capsule These findings do not support the hypothesis that maturation in vitro affects embryo morphokinetics, while they suggest only marginal differences in the morphokinetics of embryos developed from oocytes matured in vivo and in vitro in IVM cycles and embryos developed from mature oocytes recovered in stimulated cycles.

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Dal Canto, M., Novara, P.V., Coticchio, G. et al. Morphokinetics of embryos developed from oocytes matured in vitro. J Assist Reprod Genet 33, 247–253 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-015-0625-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-015-0625-9

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