Prediction of the rates of fertilization, cleavage, and pregnancy success by cumulus-coronal morphology in an in vitro fertilization program.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the relation between the grading of cumulus-coronal morphology at oocyte retrieval and the rates of fertilization, cleavage, and pregnancy success in IVF-ET cycles.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
University-affiliated medical center.


METHODS
Infertile women who underwent IVF-ET treatment.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Fertilization and cleavage of the oocytes and the pregnancy outcome.


RESULTS
Mature grade 3 cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) constituted the highest percentage among all grades and had a higher fertilization rate than COCs of other grades (77% versus 65%, 43%, and 28% for grades 2, 1, and 4, respectively). The cleavage and polyspermy rates did not correlate with cumulus-coronal morphology grading. The pregnancy rate was higher in cycles with >50% grade 3 COCs than in cycles with < or =50% grade 3 COCs (32% versus 16%). In cycles with >80% grade 3 COCs, the pregnancy rate was 57%. The correlation between the percentage of grade 3 COCs and the pregnancy rate was independent of patient age and the number of COCs retrieved.


CONCLUSIONS
The cumulus-coronal morphology grade correlates with the fertilization rate but not with the cleavage or polyspermy rate. In vitro fertilization cycles that have a greater percentage of grade 3 COCs have an increased chance of resulting in pregnancy. The cumulus-coronal morphology grade predicts pregnancy success in IVF-ET cycles.
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Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California-Los Angeles School of Medicine, 90095-1740, USA.
Chang
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Wu
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D000328:Adult; D002970:Cleavage Stage, Ovum; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000628:therapy*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D010053:Ovary / Q000166:cytology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012189:Retrospective Studies