Automatic user-independent zona pellucida imaging at the oocyte stage allows for the prediction of preimplantation development.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze whether a change in three-dimensional structure of the zona pellucida could indicate suboptimal gamete quality.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
Women's general hospital.


METHODS
A total of 72 patients who gave informed consent.


METHODS
The birefringence of all oocytes was prospectively analyzed with an automatic user-independent polarization microscopy imaging system.


METHODS
Birefringence of the inner zona layer, preimplantation development, implantation, and pregnancy.


RESULTS
In approximately one third of all gametes (244/712), the system's automatic detection of the inner zona layer did not succeed. This phenomenon was a negative predictor of compaction (P<0.01), blastulation (P<0.001), and pregnancy (P<0.001). In cases of successful zona imaging, the score based on the birefringence of the inner zona layer was a strong predictor of blastocyst formation but not of embryo quality or pregnancy (P>0.05). Interestingly, antagonist protocol resulted in lower zona scores as compared with the long protocol (P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Combining the information from both undetected and detected oocytes, zona imaging was a helpful tool in oocyte selection. This knowledge might further help to reduce both the time in culture and the number of concepti considered for transfer.
Ebner
Thomas
T
Landes- Frauen- und Kinderklinik, IVF-Unit, Linz, Austria. thomas.ebner@gespag.at
Balaban
Basak
B
Moser
Marianne
M
Shebl
Omar
O
Urman
Bulent
B
Ata
Bariş
B
Tews
Gernot
G
D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D001331:Automation; D002970:Cleavage Stage, Ovum / Q000166:cytology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D007246:Infertility / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008859:Microscopy, Polarization / Q000379:methods; D009865:Oocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011247:Pregnancy; D011258:Pregnancy Tests / Q000379:methods; D011379:Prognosis; D012984:Software; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic; D017211:Treatment Failure; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D015044:Zona Pellucida / Q000648:ultrastructure*