title: Morphokinetics of embryos developed from oocytes matured in vitro.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In in vitro maturation (IVM) cycles primed with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), both immature and mature oocytes are retrieved from antral follicles sized 8-12 mm. Using time-lapse microscopy, we compared the morphokinetic behavior of embryos developed from oocytes matured in vivo and in vitro, testing the hypothesis that IVM affects preimplantation development. Furthermore, we extended the morphokinetic analysis of these embryos by a comparison with embryos obtained in stimulated assisted reproduction technology (ART) cycles.
  
  
  METHODS
  In IVM cycles primed with follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)/hCG, prior to sperm microinjection, oocytes surrounded by an expanded cumulus at retrieval and presumably mature (EC-MII) were incubated for 6 h, while immature oocytes enclosed in a compact cumulus (CC) were matured in vitro for 30 h. The morphokinetics of embryos selected for transfer or cryopreservation, derived from EC-MII and CC oocytes, were comparatively and retrospectively analyzed in terms of cleavage times (t2, t3, t4, t5, and t8) and intervals (cc2, cc3, s2, s3). For further comparison, the morphokinetics of embryos selected for transfer or cryopreservation (ICSI) or giving rise to ongoing pregnancies (model) in stimulated ART cycles was also assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The morphokinetic behavior of EC-MII and CC embryos was entirely comparable, as suggested by the absence of statistical differences in the averages of all cleavage times and intervals. Almost all cleavage and interval times were also similar between EC-MII, CC, ICSI, and model groups, with the exception of t4 and s2, which were delayed and longer, respectively, in embryos generated in IVM cycles (EC-MII and CC).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings do not support the hypothesis that maturation in vitro affects embryo morphokinetics, while they suggest only marginal differences in the morphokinetics of embryos developed from oocytes matured in vivo and in vitro in IVM cycles and embryos developed from mature oocytes recovered in stimulated cycles.
authors.affiliation: Biogenesi Reproductive Medicine Centre, Istituti Clinici Zucchi, Via Zucchi, 24, Monza, Italy. dalcanto.biogenesi@grupposandonato.it.
authors.forename: Mariabeatrice
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dal Canto
authors.affiliation: Biogenesi Reproductive Medicine Centre, Istituti Clinici Zucchi, Via Zucchi, 24, Monza, Italy. pvnovara@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Paola V
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Novara
authors.affiliation: Biogenesi Reproductive Medicine Centre, Istituti Clinici Zucchi, Via Zucchi, 24, Monza, Italy. coticchio.biogenesi@grupposandonato.it.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1635-9205
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Coticchio
authors.affiliation: Biogenesi Reproductive Medicine Centre, Istituti Clinici Zucchi, Via Zucchi, 24, Monza, Italy. mariomigninirenzini@centrosofia.it.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mignini Renzini
authors.affiliation: Biogenesi Reproductive Medicine Centre, Istituti Clinici Zucchi, Via Zucchi, 24, Monza, Italy. fbrambillasca@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Fausta
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Brambillasca
authors.affiliation: Biogenesi Reproductive Medicine Centre, Istituti Clinici Zucchi, Via Zucchi, 24, Monza, Italy. claudio.brigante@grupposandonato.it.
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Brigante
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Physics, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy. e.deponti@hsgerardo.org.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: De Ponti
authors.affiliation: Biogenesi Reproductive Medicine Centre, Istituti Clinici Zucchi, Via Zucchi, 24, Monza, Italy. rfadini@libero.it.
authors.forename: Rubens
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fadini
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015925:Cryopreservation; D046149:Embryo Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods; D004624:Embryo Transfer / Q000379:methods; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D059471:In Vitro Oocyte Maturation Techniques; D009865:Oocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic
chemical_list: D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone
keywords: Embryos; In vitro maturation; Oocytes; Preimplantation development; Time-lapse microscopy