Exposure to human chorionic gonadotropin during in vitro maturation does not improve the maturation rate and developmental potential of immature oocytes from patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in culture medium on the in vitro maturation (IVM) and subsequent developmental potential of human immature oocytes.


METHODS
Prospective, randomized study.


METHODS
Reproductive Medicine Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical College, People's Republic of China.


METHODS
62 women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) undergoing IVM treatment.


METHODS
Immature oocytes were retrieved from unstimulated ovaries of women with PCOS. We tried three different culture systems in this experiment. In group A, oocytes were cultured in the medium containing M199 + 20% fetal bovine serum (FBS) + 75 mIU/mL recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) + 0.5 IU/mL recombinant hCG. In group B, oocytes were cultured in hCG-free IVM medium (M199 + 20% FBS + 75 mIU/mL recombinant FSH) for 10 hours, then transferred to the same medium as used for group A. In group C, oocytes were cultured only in hCG-free IVM medium. After the oocytes had matured in vitro, fertilization and embryo transfer were performed.


METHODS
Rates of maturation, fertilization, cleavage, implantation, clinical pregnancy, miscarriage, and live birth.


RESULTS
For groups A, B, and C, the maturation rates at 32 and 48 hours were 46.02% and 69.25%; 43.72% and 64.51%; and 51.87% and 67.51%, respectively. Relatively satisfactory clinical results and implantation rates were obtained in all three groups. No statistically significant differences among groups A, B, and C were found in the rates of maturation, fertilization, cleavage, implantation, clinical pregnancy, miscarriage, or live birth.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of our study indicated that the addition of hCG to in vitro culture medium did not improve the maturation rate or development potential of immature oocytes. For the IVM and development of immature oocytes from women with PCOS, hCG appears to be unnecessary.
Ge
Hong-Shan
HS
Reproductive Health Center, Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China. dafeng76@126.com
Huang
Xue-Feng
XF
Zhang
Wei
W
Zhao
Jun-Zhao
JZ
Lin
Jin-Jun
JJ
Zhou
Wei
W
D000328:Adult; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003470:Culture Media; D046149:Embryo Culture Techniques; D010064:Embryo Implantation / Q000187:drug effects*; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D005300:Fertility Agents, Female / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005306:Fertilization / Q000187:drug effects*; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D054315:Oocyte Retrieval; D009865:Oocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D003470:Culture Media; D005300:Fertility Agents, Female