Fig. 1.

Morphological features selected for analysis. The figure is a representative figure of morphological parameters selected for analysis. a granularity describes the observation of granules in the cytoplasm. When these are polarised to one, or both sides of the oocytes, a score of 3 points is given. Granularity localised to the centre of the oocyte is scored as 2 points, and oocytes with a complete absence of granularity awarded 1 point. b The presence of vacuoles and inclusions (consisting of any deformity of the oocyte cytoplasm) was scored, 3 points awarded to oocytes not containing any features, 2 points if the oocyte cytoplasm contained either vacuoles or inclusions, and 1 point in cases where the oocyte contains both features. c Injection properties of the oocyte were scored during the ICSI procedure. In cases where a small amount of pressure was required to rupture the oocyte plasma membrane (the membrane did not stretch further than the natural limit of the plasma membrane - see arrow) 3 points were awarded. In cases where the membrane ruptured without aspiration pressure, 2 points were awarded and where an excessive pressure was required for the rupture of the plasma membrane (see arrow), 1 point was awarded.