title: Evaluating the Role of First Polar Body Morphology on Rates of Fertilization and Embryo Development in ICSI Cycles.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recent studies have demonstrated that morphology of the first polar body (1(st)PB) is related to oocyte viability, which can be used as a prognostic tool to predict oocyte performance and pregnancy outcomes in an intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) program. According to some studies, there is a correlation between oocyte performance and 1(st)PB morphology, while others have not reported any correlation. The objective of this study is to evaluate the role of 1(st)PB morphology on rates of fertilization and embryo development in ICSI cases.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this prospective study morphological characteristics of 470 metaphase II (MII) oocytes were assessed in 80 ICSI cycles. The women were ages 21-42 years (mean 32.6 ± 0.2). Their oocytes were retrieved after a hyperstimulation protocol. After denudation, all oocytes were evaluated for 1(st)PB morphology. The oocytes were divided into two groups of A (normal 1(st.)
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-seven percent of oocytes had fragmented 1(st)PB, while the remainder was associated with other morphological abnormalities. A total of 46.1% and 26.9% of oocytes showed double and multiple defects, respectively. RF was the most common abnormality observed in group B. No significant differences in women's' ages between groups A and B were noted (p=0.3). A total of 179 and 107 oocytes (61.5% vs. 59.8%) were fertilized in groups A and B, respectively (p=0.7). The rates of good embryo formation for A and B groups were 66.5% and 55.6% (p=0.07), and cleavage rates were 77.7% and 68.5%, respectively (p=0.09).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The data demonstrated that 1(st)PB morphology does not appear to be a prognostic factor for rates of fertilization and embryo development in ICSI cycles.
authors: Research and Clinical Center for Infertility, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
authors: Iman
authors: I
authors: Halvaei
authors: Research and Clinical Center for Infertility, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
authors: Mohammad Ali
authors: MA
authors: Khalili
authors: Research and Clinical Center for Infertility, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
authors: Mehrdad
authors: M
authors: Soleimani
authors: Research and Clinical Center for Infertility, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
authors: Mohammad Hossein
authors: MH
authors: Razi
keywords: Embryo Development; Fertilization Rate; First Polar Body; ICSI; Oocyte Morphology