title: Are there non-invasive markers in human oocytes that can predict pregnancy outcome?
abstract: Predictive criteria for selection of the best embryo for single embryo transfer remain elusive. This study aimed to determine if non-invasive markers in human oocytes, detectable using polarized light microscopy, can predict pregnancy outcome. Twenty-two pregnancy-producing oocytes from 19 patients had their morphological features compared with 30 oocytes from 19 age-matched patients whose transfer did not result in a pregnancy. Both pregnant and non-pregnant patients had similar numbers of oocytes collected (average: 11.9 +/- 2.8 versus 11.3 +/- 2.9) and similar fertilization rates (70.1% versus 69.6%). All embryos transferred were 4-cell cleavage-stage on day 2 with <10% fragmentation. Meiotic spindles were examined at 39-40 h following human chorionic gonadotrophin administration for spindle normality, length, density and angle from first polar body. There was a significant difference in spindle normality in oocytes in the pregnant patients compared with oocytes in the non-pregnant patients (100% versus 33%, P < 0.001). Spindle density was significantly higher in those oocytes resulting in pregnancy (3.0 +/- 1.23 nm versus 2.5 +/- 0.7 nm, P = 0.02). These oocyte markers may provide a useful non-invasive tool in the selection of the embryo most likely to produce a pregnancy.
authors: IVF Australia, Maroubra, NSW, Sydney, Australia. skilani@ivf.com.au
authors: Suha
authors: S
authors: Kilani
authors: Simon
authors: S
authors: Cooke
authors: Andrew
authors: A
authors: Kan
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Chapman
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis*; D004624:Embryo Transfer / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008540:Meiosis / Q000502:physiology; D008859:Microscopy, Polarization; D009865:Oocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D008941:Spindle Apparatus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers