Embryological, clinical and ultrastructural study of human oocytes presenting indented zona pellucida

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2015

Authors

sousa, m (Author) ICBAS; Teixeira da Silva, JT (Author) Other; Silva, J (Author) Other; Cunha, M (Author) Other; Viana, P (Author) Other; Oliveira, E (Author) Other; Sa, R (Author) Other; Soares, C (Author) Other; Oliveira, C (Author) ICBAS; barros, a (Author) FMUP

Journal

Title: Zygote

Vol. 23

Pages: 145-157

ISSN: 0967-1994

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 23 Citations

Scopus - 28 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00A-6XQ

DOI: 10.1017/s0967199413000403

Abstract (EN): Human oocyte dysmorphisms attain a large proportion of retrieved oocytes from assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment cycles. Extracytoplasmic defects involve abnormal morphology of the zona pellucida (ZP), perivitelline space and first polar body. The aim of the present study was to describe a novel dysmorphism affecting the ZP, indented ZP. We also evaluated the clinical, embryological and ultrastructural features of these cases. We evaluated all ART treatment cycles during 7 consecutive years and found 13 treatment cycles (six patients) with all oocytes presenting an indented ZP. In addition, these oocytes presented total or partial absence of the perivitelline space, absence of resistance to ZP and oolemma penetration during microinjection, and low ooplasm viscosity during aspiration. This novel described dysmorphism was recurrent and attained all oocytes in three cases that had more than one treatment cycle. When compared with controls, data showed significant low oocyte maturity (42% versus 81.6%) and high cycle cancellation (30.8% versus 8.5%) rates, normal degeneration (3.4% versus 6.3%) and fertilization rates (69% versus 69.5%), and low pregnancy (15.4% versus 33.3%) and live-birth delivery (7.7% versus 27.7%) rates per cycle. Ultrastructure analysis revealed a zona pellucida structure with large empty electrolucent regions, an outer ZP layer with an indented surface with protuberances and a thick inner ZP that obliterated the perivitelline space. There was evidence of exocytosis of ZP material by the oocyte. In conclusion, oocytes with this novel described dysmorphism (indented ZP) are associated with low maturity, pregnancy and live-birth delivery rates.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 13