title: Confocal microscopic analysis of the microfilament configurations from human vitrification-thawed oocytes matured in vitro.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The alteration in microfilaments of human oocytes by vitrification has not been understood well.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of vitrification on the microfilaments of human in vitro matured oocytes and the time needed for the repair.
  
  
  METHODS
  Human in vitro matured oocytes were divided into the control group (Group 1) and the vitrified group. The vitrified oocytes were further divided into four sub-groups that were cultured after thawing for 1 h, 2 h, 3 h and 4 h, respectively (Groups 2, 3, 4 and 5).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The survival rate of oocytes was 87.4% after vitrification and thawing. The percentage of oocytes with a normal configuration of microfilaments in Group 2 and Group 3 was significantly lower than that of the fresh control group (Group 1), whereas the percentage of oocytes with normal microfilament configuration in Group 4 and Group 5 was comparable to the control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vitrification alters microfilament structure of oocytes, which takes at least 3h after thawing for the repair and recovery.
authors.affiliation: Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China.
authors.forename: Qianqian
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Ci
authors.affiliation: Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China.
authors.forename: Mei
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Center for Reproductive Medicine, Jinan Central Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China.
authors.forename: Yingchun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China.
authors.forename: Shuiying
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.affiliation: Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China.
authors.forename: Qin
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.affiliation: Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China. shiyuhua2003@126.com.
authors.forename: Yuhua
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shi
mesh_terms: D008841:Actin Cytoskeleton / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D000328:Adult; D002470:Cell Survival; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D015925:Cryopreservation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D059471:In Vitro Oocyte Maturation Techniques; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D009865:Oocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D058989:Vitrification