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. 2002 Dec;19(12):555–560. doi: 10.1023/A:1021259031267

The Maturity of Human Cumulus-Free Oocytes Is Positively Related to Blastocyst Development and Viability

Fu-Jen Huang 1,2, Hsuan-Wei Huang 1, Kuo-Chung Lan 1, Fu-Tsai Kung 1, Yi-Chi Lin 1, Hsueh-Wen Chang 3, Shiuh-Young Chang 1,2,✉
PMCID: PMC3455828  PMID: 12503887

Abstract

Purpose: We investigated whether the human oocyte maturity at the removal of cumulus/corona cells affects the embryo outcome in vitro.

Methods: A total of 620 oocytes, which subsequently underwent blastocyst culture, were included in this analysis. Oocytes that were in prophase or Metaphase I of meiosis at the removal of cumulus/corona cells were in Group II. Oocytes that were in Metaphase II at the removal of cumulus/corona cells were in Group I.

Results: Group I oocytes yielded the highest fertilization rates (96.3% vs. 77.1%, P < 0.001). The incidence of Group II oocytes developing to the blastocyst stage was significantly less than from Group I oocytes (38.1% vs. 86.1%, P < 0.001). The percentage of top-scoring blastocysts from Group I oocytes was higher than that of Group II oocytes (95.4% vs. 76.2%, P < 0.001).

Conclusions: Oocyte maturity at the removal of cumulus/corona cells needs to be considered in selecting good quality blastocysts for embryo transfer.

Keywords: Blastocyst development, cumulus-free oocytes, fertilization rate, intrtacytoplasmic sperm injection

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