title: Evaluation of the meiotic spindle apparatus in metaphase II human oocytes following cytoplasmic donation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine if the removal of cytoplasm from metaphase II human donor oocytes damages the meiotic spindle apparatus.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cryopreservation of metaphase II human oocytes was performed using a fast-freeze, fast-thaw protocol. Upon thaw, oocytes were incubated for 3-4 h and then used for cytoplasmic donation (test oocytes). Oocytes thawed but not used for donation served as controls. Test and control oocytes were fixed using a microtubule-stabilizing buffer. Tubulin was localized using antitubulin monoclonal antibody. Chromosomes were identified by counterstaining with DAPI.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-four oocytes had cytoplasm removed (test group) while 12 were not used for the procedure (controls). Twenty-three oocytes survived the donation procedure. Rates of normal spindle structure for the control and test groups were 21/23 (91.3%) and 12/12 (100%), respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The removal of cytoplasm from a metaphase II human donor oocyte does not appear to significantly increase the damage to chromosome alignment or to the spindle structure.
authors: Department of Obstetrics/Gynaecology, Jones Institute for Reproductive Medicine, Eastern Virginia Medical School, 601 Colley Avenue Norfolk, Virginia 23507, USA.
authors: E L
authors: EL
authors: Jones
authors: C A
authors: CA
authors: Boyd
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Dowling-Lacey
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Wright
authors: J F
authors: JF
authors: Mayer
authors: S E
authors: SE
authors: Lanzendorf
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015925:Cryopreservation; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000637:transplantation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008540:Meiosis / Q000502:physiology*; D008677:Metaphase; D018587:Oocyte Donation; D009865:Oocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D008941:Spindle Apparatus