Prematurely condensed chromosomes and meiotic abnormalities in unfertilized human oocytes after ovarian stimulation with and without gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the incidence of meiotic abnormalities, aneuploidy, and prematurely condensed sperm chromosomes in failed fertilized oocytes after controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH).


METHODS
Retrospective analysis of air-dried preparations of unfertilized oocytes.


METHODS
University hospital-based infertility clinic.


METHODS
Thirty-three patients undergoing IVF having only tubal factor as the cause of infertility. Twelve patients (13 cycles) underwent treatment with hMG alone (-GnRH agonist [GnRH-a]), and 21 patients (24 cycles) underwent treatment with leuprolide acetate (LA) and hMG (+GnRH-a group).


METHODS
Standard IVF-ET treatment cycle for ovarian stimulation using hMG with or without LA.


METHODS
The meiotic stage, ploidy, and the presence of prematurely condensed sperm chromosomes were determined in 161 air-dried preparations of unfertilized oocytes.


RESULTS
Significantly more unfertilized oocytes were at metaphase II in the -GnRH-a group as compared with the +GnRH-a group, with significantly fewer exhibiting meiotic aberrations. Aneuploidy rates did not differ between groups. However, significantly more oocytes in the +GnRH-a group revealed prematurely condensed sperm chromosomes than in the -GnRH-a group.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of GnRH-a for COH does not have an impact on aneuploidy rates in failed fertilized oocytes. However, the higher incidence of meiotic aberrations and prematurely condensed sperm chromosomes in the unfertilized population indicates that some retrieved oocytes exhibit incomplete nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation after the use of this agonist.
Racowsky
C
C
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson 85724, USA.
Prather
A L
AL
Johnson
M K
MK
Olvera
S P
SP
Gelety
T J
TJ
D000328:Adult; D002875:Chromosomes / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005184:Fallopian Tube Diseases / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D016729:Leuprolide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008540:Meiosis; D008596:Menotropins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009865:Oocytes / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000648:ultrastructure*
D008596:Menotropins; D016729:Leuprolide