Oocyte diameter as a predictor of fertilization and embryo quality in assisted reproduction cycles.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the impact of the mean oocyte diameter (MOD) on occurrence of fertilization and embryo quality in assisted reproduction cycles.


METHODS
Prospective observational study.


METHODS
Sector of Human Reproduction of the University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (HCFMRP-USP).


METHODS
Thirty-five women undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) at the University Hospital of Ribeirão Preto from May to October 2007.


METHODS
MOD assessment.


METHODS
Occurrence of fertilization and qualitative embryo classification on 2nd and 3rd day after ICSI.


RESULTS
We divided 160 metaphase II oocytes according to MOD into groups A (MOD below the 25th percentile), B (MOD between 25th and 75th percentile), and C (MOD above the 75th percentile). There was no statistically significant association between MOD and the occurrence of fertilization or the qualitative embryo classification on days 2 and 3. There was no statistically significant difference between groups regarding number of cells or the qualitative embryo classification on days 2 and 3.


CONCLUSIONS
The MOD of mature oocytes does not seem to be related to the occurrence of fertilization or to the developmental quality of human embryos on days 2 and 3 after ICSI.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil. gsalata@uol.com.br
Gustavo Salata
GS
Romão
Maria Cristina Picinato Medeiros
MC
Araújo
Anderson Sanches
AS
de Melo
Paula Andrea
PA
de Albuquerque Salles Navarro
Rui Alberto
RA
Ferriani
Rosana Maria
RM
Dos Reis
D001938:Brazil; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization / Q000502:physiology*; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008677:Metaphase; D009865:Oocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*