Abstract
Background: During ICSI, we occasionally observe pronucleus sized translucent vacuoles. We investigated why these vacuoles occur and determined the effect on pregnancy outcome. Methods. Translucent vacuole-positive oocytes and the corresponding cohort were examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and histochemical staining with Dil and ER-Tracker. Stimulation methods, hormonal levels, patients' condition and grade of transferred embryos were compared between vacuole-positive and vacuole-negative cycles. Results. By TEM, we confirmed that the vacuoles were tubular-type smooth endoplasmic reticulum clusters (sERCs). Numerous small sERCs were also observed in the oocytes from the same cohort. Veeck's grades of transferred embryos were higher in sERC-positive cycles and fertilization rate was similar to those of sERC-negative cycles. However, in sERC-positive cycles, significantly lower pregnancy and higher biochemical pregnancy rates were shown. Serum estradiol levels on the day of hCG administration were significantly higher in sERC-positive cycles. Conclusions: The presence of sERCs is associated with lower chances of successful pregnancy, even in sERC-negative oocytes from the same cohort that are transferred along with the sERC-positive oocytes. High estradiol levels could be one of the causes of sERC formation.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1591-1597 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Human Reproduction |
Volume | 19 |
Issue number | 7 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Jul 2004 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Biochemical pregnancy
- High serum estradiol levels
- Idiopathic infertility
- Oocyte maturation
- Smooth endoplasmic reticulum cluster
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Reproductive Medicine
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology