Table 2.
Comparison of the main ultrastructural marker of quality among blastocyst groups (control vs IVF 5% and 20%). Legends: N.D.: no differences.
| Blastocyst Control | IVF 5% Blastocyst | IVF 20% Blastocyst | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nuclear Shape | Oval or irregular shape. The surface showed minor irregularities. | Oval or irregular shape. The surface showed minor irregularities. | Oval, round or irregular shape. The surface presented minor irregularities and rare deep invaginations. |
| Nuclear envelope | Common structure formed by two intact membrane. Perinuclear space is often interrupted by nuclear pores. | N.D. (no differences) | N.D. |
| Hetero Chromatin |
Regularly distributed in the nucleus with minor condensation close the nuclear envelope. | N.D. | Lower content of heterochromatin. |
| Nucleoli | One or two per nucleoli with irregular shape and reticular aspect. | N.D. | N.D. |
| Cell membrane | TE cell membrane appeared smooth with few and short microvilli. ICM cell surface presented numerous and longer microvilli. | N.D. | Interruption of the TE or ICM cell membrane were occasionally seen. |
| Mitochondria | Elongated and tubular in shape with long cristae and a medium dense matrix. Vacuolated mitochondria were present. | Higher density of vacuolated mitochondria. | Higher density of vacuolated mitochondria. |
| Vacuoles | Vacuoles were present but with smaller dimension if compared with those of the previous developmental stages. | Higher density of vacuoles. | Higher density of vacuoles. |
| Residual bodies | Occasionally seen in the cytoplasm. | Frequently seen in the cytoplasm. | Frequently seen in the cytoplasm. Smaller than the ones of the previous group. |
| Multi vesicular bodies | No presence of MVB in this group. | Occasionally found in the cytoplasm. | Occasionally found in the cytoplasm. |
| RER | Usually found in form of isolated cisternae. | N.D. | N.D. |
| SER | Present in the cytoplasm in form of small and smooth vesicles. Vesicles organized in cisternae are occasionally seen. | Cytoplasm showed lower density of SER vesicle. | Cytoplasm showed lower density of SER vesicle. |
| Golgi | Occasionally seen in the perinuclear region. | N.D. | N.D. |
| Glycogen | Present in the cytoplasm in mono-particulate form. | Higher density of glycogen granules in the cytoplasm. | Higher density of glycogen granules in the cytoplasm. |
| Lipid droplets | Lipid droplets were present quite regularly in the cytoplasm. | N.D. | N.D. |