Fertilization Rates Of Human Oocytes Research Articles

ECAT1 is essential for human oocyte maturation and pre-implantation development of the resulting embryos.

ECAT1 is a subunit of the subcortical maternal complex that is required for cell cycle progression during pre-implantation embryonic development; however, its exact function remains to be elucidated. Here we investigated the expression of ECAT1 in human ovarian tissue, oocytes and pre-implantation embryos and assessed its function by using RNA interference (RNAi) in oocytes. ECAT1 mRNA was highly expressed in human oocytes and zygotes, as well as in two-cell, four-cell and eight-cell embryos, but declined significantly in morulae and blastocysts. ECAT1 was expressed in the cytoplasm of oocytes and pre-implantation embryos and was localized more specifically in the cortical region than in the inner cytoplasm. RNAi experiments demonstrated that down-regulation of ECAT1 expression not only impaired spindle assembly and reduced maturation and fertilization rates of human oocytes but also decreased the cleavage rate of the resulting zygotes. In conclusion, our study indicates that ECAT1 may play a role in meiotic progression by maintaining the accuracy of spindle assembly in human oocytes, thus promoting oocyte maturation and subsequent development of the embryo.

The diagnostic value of seminal adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in an in vitro fertilization (IVF) program: Der diagnostische Wert von ATP in einem IVF-Programm

The level of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) was quantitated in semen samples used for in vitro fertilization of human oocytes. Seminal ATP level correlated with the concentration and percentage motility of spermatozoa but not with the in vitro fertilization rate of human oocytes. Seminal ATP measurement appears to have little diagnostic value in predicting the fertilizing capacity of spermatozoa as evaluated by the multivariate stepwise discriminant analysis.

Human sperm movement assessed with the Hamilton-Thorn motility analyzer and in vitro fertilization.

The relationship between sperm movement characteristics obtained by computerized analysis and the in vitro fertilization rates of human oocytes was studied. In 144 consecutive in vitro fertilization treatments a sample of prepared semen was analysed by a Hamilton-Thorn Motility Analyzer. In addition a visual estimation of sperm count and motility was made. Significant correlations with the fertilization rate were found for all visual parameters. Of the computerized measurements, the mean velocities of motile spermatozoa and the concentration of motile cells were significantly correlated. The average path velocity correlated best (r = 0.42, P < 0.001). There was no relationship between the percentage of motile sperm showing hyperactivated movement and the fertilization rate. A forward stepwise logistic regression analysis selected the following variables of predictive value for fertilization: average path velocity, male factor infertility as indication for in vitro fertilization, motility and concentration, as measured by the Hamilton-Thorn analyzer. A logistic regression model to predict the cases with low (< 0.2) or high fertilization rates, included the average path velocity as a significant variable and classified the samples with 90% overall accuracy. movement characteristics of spermatozoa in culture medium, especially the average path velocity are of prognostic value in prediction of human oocyte fertilization rates.

The lack of influence of age on male fertility

Objective: This study was undertaken to determine the effect of male aging on sperm quality as determined by semen analysis, the fertilization rate of human oocytes in vitro, and live birth rates. Study Design: Retrospective analysis correlating outcome measures with male age was performed for 558 oocyte donation cycles in 441 couples. The oocyte donation model was chosen because it controls for oocyte quality and endometrial receptivity, which allows variations in sperm quality as a function of male age to be the only dependent variable. Outcome measures analyzed were semen analysis, fertilization rates in vitro, pregnancy rates, live birth rates, and cumulative live birth rates by life-table analysis. Results: There was a negative correlation between male age and total sperm count, but there was no correlation between male age and any of the other parameters in the semen analysis. There was no association between male age and the fertilization rate of donated oocytes in vitro, pregnancy rates, or live birth rates. Recipient couples were grouped by quartiles of male age, and cumulative live birth rates were the same in the 4 groups. Conclusion: Whereas male aging is associated with a significant decline in total sperm count, this change is not reflected in a decreased fertilization rate or a decreased live birth rate in the oocyte donation model. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2001;184:818-24.)

Milk versus TEST-yolk — preincubated sperm; in vitro fertilization outcome

Objective: Preincubation of sperm in TEST-yolk medium enhances in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcome. However preincubation of sperm in milk at 5°C enhances the results of sperm penetration assay and hemizona assay. This study was therefore performed to determine the influence of milk on in vitro fertilization rate of human oocytes, as compared with TEST-yolk medium. Study design: Forty-one consecutive couples undergoing an IVF procedure were randomized. Of these 20 couples were admitted for the milk study (group 1) and 21 couples for the TEST-yolk study (group 2). Each ejaculate was Percoll-processed and the sperm pellet was resuspended in 0.5 ml of culture medium. An equal volume of heat-inactivated homogenized cow's milk (95°C, 10 min) was added to sperm suspension from group 1 and an equal volume of TEST-yolk medium was added to sperm suspension from group 2. After 2 h of incubation at 5°C and washing with culture medium at 37°C, oocytes were inseminated. Oocytes from group 1 couples were inseminated with milk-treated spermatozoa and those from group 2 couples with yolk-treated spermatozoa. Oocytes were evaluated for fertilization after 18 h. Results: Sperm preincubated in milk fertilized 75 out of 100 mature oocytes (75%). TEST-yolk-treated sperm fertilized 45 out of 64 mature oocytes (70%). The difference was not statistically significant. Conclusions: Preincubation of spermatozoa in milk, as compared with preincubation in TEST-yolk medium yields a similar IVF outcome, so milk may be a suitable alternative medium for preincubation of spermatozoa to enhance its fertilizing potential.

Human sperm hyperactivation and acrosome reaction and their relationships to human in vitro fertilization

To determine the relationships between human sperm hyperactivation (HA) and acrosome reaction with fertilization of human oocytes in vitro. Prospective analysis of infertile patients undergoing IVF. Tertiary center for infertility and assisted reproductive technology. Fifty-two couples who underwent IVF or GIFT were studied. The male partners had normal semen parameters on routine analyses. None. Sperm HA in seminal fluid and after 1 and 6 hours incubation in capacitation media; sperm acrosome reaction after 0, 6, and 24 hours' incubation in capacitation media; and fertilization rate of human oocytes. The percent spermatozoa with transitional HA after 6 hours of incubation correlated significantly with the fertilization rate of human oocytes. Multivariate discriminant analyses selected six sperm HA and acrosome reaction variables of predictive value in classifying semen samples that achieved fertilization rates above and below 70% threshold. Combination of the selected sperm HA and acrosome reaction variables in seminal fluid and after different times of incubation in capacitation medium classified the samples achieving good or poor fertilization rate with > 80% accuracy. Assessment of sperm HA and acrosome reaction may be of prognostic value in prediction of human oocyte fertilization rates.

Improved fertilization rates of human oocytes in coculture

Passaged human tubal ampullary epithelial cells from cell lines were used to evaluate fertilization rates and the support of early human embryonic cleavage in vitro. A total of 225 mature oocytes from 32 patients was used in this study. Oocytes from each patient were equally allotted at random to two groups. One hundred thirty-two oocytes were inseminated in the presence of passaged human ampullary cells, while 123 oocytes were inseminated in culture medium alone. Fertilized oocytes were transferred to tubal ampullary cell monolayers and monitored for up to 48 hr. Eighty-five percent of oocytes fertilized in coculture, as compared to 67% in medium alone (P less than 0.01). A higher percentage of good-quality embryos was observed in cocultures than in controls (79 vs 67%; P less than 0.05). Binding of sperm to ampullary monolayer cells was observed. Human ampullary-cell cocultures may be useful to improve fertilization rates and embryonic viability and thus increase take-home baby rates for in vitro fertilization programs.

Experience with zona drilling and zona cutting to improve fertilization rates of human oocytes in vitro

Zona drilling (ZD) and zona cutting (ZC) were used in an IVF programme to assist fertilization in semen defect patients. Twenty-seven patients consented to ZD where acidified Tyrode's was used to create a hole in the zona pellucida. In 19 patients, ZD increased the fertilization rate to 29% compared with 8% (P less than 0.001) in their routine IVF cycles, and in eight patients precluded from routine IVF, a fertilization rate of 14% was achieved. Twenty-two patients consented to ZC where a slit in the zona is made mechanically. In 12 patients ZC increased the fertilization rate to 31% compared with 14% (P less than 0.01) from previous routine IVF cycles, and in 10 patients precluded from routine IVF, a fertilization rate of 34% was achieved. In 13 cycles, 68 uncut control oocytes were inseminated. In five cycles both control and ZC oocytes were fertilized (n.s.d.). In eight cycles no control oocytes were fertilized compared with 27% of ZC oocytes. The polyspermy rate was 4.6%. Twenty-four per cent of ZD and 12% of ZC (P less than 0.01) oocytes and embryos were degenerate after 42 h. Both ZD and ZC can increase the fertilization rate of sub-optimal semen, however, in our hands neither technique produced a pregnancy.

Differential evaluation of human sperm hypoosmotic swelling test and its relationship with the outcome of in-vitro fertilization of human oocytes

The hypoosmotic swelling test is a simple laboratory test to measure the functional integrity of the human sperm membrane. Its in-vivo and in-vitro applicability needs to be evaluated before it can be accepted as a useful routine test for the fertilizing potential of human semen. We studied the standard semen analysis results and differential sperm tail swelling patterns of seminal and swim-up sperm after hypoosmotic treatment in 97 semen samples used for in-vitro fertilization of human oocytes. Semen samples were classified as infertile (0% fertilization rate; n = 27) or fertile (greater than 0% fertilization rate; n = 70) before statistical analyses. There was a significant difference (P less than 0.005) in percentage normal morphology of seminal sperm between the fertile and infertile semen samples. The percentage normal morphology of seminal sperm correlated (r = 0.4250; P less than 0.005) with the in-vitro fertilization rate of human oocytes and this parameter was selected by the multivariate stepwise discriminant analysis as the discriminator capable of predicting the in-vitro fertilization rate with 57.7% accuracy. The percentage total swelling of seminal and swim-up sperm after hypoosmotic treatment was not correlated with the in-vitro fertilization rate. The percentage swelling pattern g (the open type) of seminal sperm was also selected by the multivariate stepwise discriminant analysis as the discriminator to predict the in-vitro fertilization rate. This parameter correlated with the percentage normal morphology of seminal sperm (r = 0.3014; P less than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Transient hyperprolactinemia during cycle stimulation: Influence on the endocrine response and fertilization rate of human oocytes and effects of bromocriptine treatment

International Journal of Gynecology & ObstetricsVolume 27, Issue 3 p. 476-476 Citations from the literature fertility and sterility Transient hyperprolactinemia during cycle stimulation: Influence on the endocrine response and fertilization rate of human oocytes and effects of bromocriptine treatment A Reinthaller, A ReinthallerSearch for more papers by this authorC Bieglmayer, C BieglmayerSearch for more papers by this authorJ Deutinger, J DeutingerSearch for more papers by this authorP Csaicsich, P CsaicsichSearch for more papers by this author A Reinthaller, A ReinthallerSearch for more papers by this authorC Bieglmayer, C BieglmayerSearch for more papers by this authorJ Deutinger, J DeutingerSearch for more papers by this authorP Csaicsich, P CsaicsichSearch for more papers by this author First published: December 1988 https://doi.org/10.1016/0020-7292(88)90138-5AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume27, Issue3December 1988Pages 476-476 RelatedInformation

Transient hyperprolactinemia during cycle stimulation: influence on the endocrine response and fertilization rate of human oocytes and effects of bromocriptine treatment

The effect of transient hyperprolactinemia and its treatment during cycle stimulation on the endocrine response and fertilization rate of human oocytes was studied. Fifty stimulated cycles were included in the study and divided into three groups: group I consisted of 18 cycles with serum prolactin (PRL) levels less than or equal to 25 ng/ml; group II contained 15 cycles, where patients developed PRL levels greater than 25 ng/ml; group III consisted of 17 cycles, where patients, who already developed hyperprolactinemia in a previous cycle, were treated by 3.75 mg bromocriptine daily. The serum estradiol (E2), progesterone (P) and PRL levels 1, 2, and 3 days before and at oocyte retrieval were evaluated. The E2 decrease at oocyte retrieval was significantly steeper in groups I and III. Follicular luteinization was more effective in groups I and III. The fertilization rate in groups I and III was significantly higher than in group II. High serum PRL levels seem to interfere in follicular and oocyte development. The treatment of transient hyperprolactinemia improved the patients' endocrine response and the fertilization rate of oocytes.