Meiotic spindle size is a strong indicator of human oocyte quality

Abstract Purpose To investigate the relationship between the meiotic spindle size in human metaphase II oocytes and embryo developmental potential after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Methods Analyzed were 1302 oocytes with a visible meiotic spindle from 281 patients aged under 40 years un...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Hiroyuki Tomari, Ko Honjo, Katsuko Kunitake, Natsumi Aramaki, Saori Kuhara, Naomi Hidaka, Kayoko Nishimura, Yumi Nagata, Toshitaka Horiuchi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2018-07-01
Series:Reproductive Medicine and Biology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/rmb2.12100
Description
Summary:Abstract Purpose To investigate the relationship between the meiotic spindle size in human metaphase II oocytes and embryo developmental potential after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Methods Analyzed were 1302 oocytes with a visible meiotic spindle from 281 patients aged under 40 years undergoing ICSI cycles. The meiotic spindle was imaged by using PolScope before ICSI. The oocytes were classified into three groups, according to spindle size: group A (<90 μm2), group B (90‐120 μm2), and group C (>120 μm2). Results Overall, 389 (29.9%) oocytes were classified into group A, 662 (50.8%) into group B, and 251 (19.3%) into group C. The fertilization rate of the group B oocytes was significantly higher than for the A and C oocytes. The blastocyst formation rate in group B was significantly higher than in group A. In addition, the pregnancy rate in group B was significantly higher than in the other two groups. Conclusion The oocytes with a spindle size of 90‐120 μm2 showed higher fertilization, blastocyst formation, and clinical pregnancy rates than those with larger or smaller spindles. The measurement of the meiotic spindle size thus has a positive predictive value for identifying human embryo developmental potential clinically.
ISSN:1445-5781
1447-0578