[Influence of maternal age on meiotic spindle and chromosome configuration of oocytes].
OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of maternal age on meiotic spindle and chromosome configuration of oocytes.


METHODS
Spindle and chromosome configuration was examined in day 1 unfertilized human oocytes after in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection(ICSI) by immunocytochemistry and visualized by laser confocal microscopy.


RESULTS
Statistically significant differences were observed on normal spindle and chromosome configurations of oocytes between 25-29 maternal age group (33% and 31%, respectively), and 30-34 age group (P< 0.05) as well as 35-40 age group(0%, P<0.01). The incidence of abnormal spindle and chromosome configurations of oocytes from 30-34 and 35-40 maternal age groups was much higher than that of oocytes from 25-29 age group (P<0.01, P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Incidence of abnormal spindle and chromosome configuration of oocytes is related to maternal age. It could be an important reason of age related oocyte aneuploidy.
Chen
Wen
W
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030 PR China. chenwenyyy@yahoo.com
Hu
Juan
J
Liu
Qun
Q
Wei
Yu-lan
YL
Zhu
Gui-jin
GJ
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002877:Chromosomes, Human / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D009865:Oocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic; D008941:Spindle Apparatus / Q000378:metabolism*