title: An oocyte score for use in assisted reproduction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In this work, we describe a system for the morphological scoring of human oocytes prior to fertilisation and use this system to test whether oocyte morphology is an indicator of fertilisation, embryo development and implantation potential.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study is a prospective trial of the use of oocyte morphological scores in 822 patients undergoing their first cycle of ICSI. Analyses of oocytes were performed prior to ICSI procedures and the scores compared with fertilisation rates, embryo quality and clinical results.
  
  
  RESULTS
  'Top quality' oocytes had a significantly higher level of fertilisation (96%) as compared to low scoring oocytes (25.6%). Where top quality oocytes formed top quality embryos, we noted a clinical success rate of 63.4%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Clinical success rates were increased in cases where top quality oocytes formed top quality embryos after ICSI. The analysis of oocyte morphology may represent a positive selection feature during ICSI.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Reproductive Biology, Clinica Villa del Sole, Via Manzoni, 15, 80126, Naples, Italy. martinwilding@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wilding
authors.forename: Loredana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Di Matteo
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: D'Andretti
authors.forename: Nadia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Montanaro
authors.forename: Clemente
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Capobianco
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dale
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D010064:Embryo Implantation; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009865:Oocytes / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D011446:Prospective Studies; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic