The effect of preincubation period of oocytes on nuclear maturity, fertilization rate, embryo quality, and pregnancy outcome in IVF and ICSI.
OBJECTIVE
To clarify the effect of preincubation of oocytes on the results of IVF and ICSI.


METHODS
A total of 176 IVF and 64 ICSI cycles received long protocol ovarian stimulation. The oocytes were incubated for 1-8 h before insemination or sperm injection. Metaphase II (MII) percentage was evaluated in the ICSI arm; fertilization rates, embryo quality, and pregnancy outcomes were analyzed in both IVF and ICSI arms according to the preincubation period duration of oocytes.


RESULTS
The MII percentage of the ICSI arm was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in the group with preincubation period of < 2.5 h. The fertilization rates in groups with preincubation for 2.5-5.5 h were significantly higher (P < 0.001) for IVF. Embryo quality and pregnancy outcomes were not significantly different between the IVF or ICSI arm.


CONCLUSIONS
The preincubation of oocytes for at least 2.5 h is beneficial to both IVF and ICSI outcomes by increasing the nuclear maturity of oocytes.
Ho
Jason Yen-Ping
JY
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, 160, Sec. 3, Chung-Kang Road, Taichung 407, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Chen
Ming-Jer
MJ
Yi
Yu-Chiao
YC
Guu
Hwa-Fen
HF
Ho
Esther Shih-Chu
ES
D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization / Q000502:physiology*; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009865:Oocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic; D013997:Time Factors