Effect of human granulosa cell co-culture using standard culture media on the maturation and fertilization potential of immature human oocytes.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether culture of immature human oocytes with and without autologous cumulus cells (CC) in standard culture medium would provide additional oocytes for use in IVF procedures.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
Hospital-based IVF practice.


METHODS
Sixty-one women undergoing 62 IVF-embryo transfer procedures between August 2004 and June 2005.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Oocyte maturation after culture with and without CC, oocyte fertilization, and zygote cleavage.


RESULTS
Culture with CC did not alter the maturation rate for metaphase I (M I) oocytes to the metaphase II (M II) stage. Germinal vesicle (GV) stage oocytes cultured with CC matured at a significantly higher rate than did GV oocytes cultured without CC. Although acceptable fertilization rates were obtained (62.1%), "usable" embryo yield was very low (13.0%).


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrated good maturation of M I oocytes but poor maturation of GV oocytes in standard culture medium. Of the immature oocytes that did mature, were fertilized, and cleaved to embryos, only a very small number were actually suitable for patient use. Therefore, these extended culturing techniques were inefficient in maturing and providing additional oocytes/embryos for patient use. The use of specialized in vitro maturation medium may improve the utility of this process.
Johnson
Jane E
JE
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Greenville Hospital System University Medical Group, Greenville, South Carolina 29605, USA. jejohnson@ghs.org
Higdon
H Lee
HL
Boone
William R
WR
D000328:Adult; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002970:Cleavage Stage, Ovum; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D054885:Cumulus Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008677:Metaphase; D008875:Middle Aged; D054315:Oocyte Retrieval; D009865:Oocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic; D055815:Young Adult; D015053:Zygote / Q000502:physiology