Oocyte Morphology and Reproductive Outcomes - Case Report and Literature Review

JBRA Assist Reprod. 2021 Jul 21;25(3):500-507. doi: 10.5935/1518-0557.20210001.

Abstract

Oocyte quality could be negatively affected by many factors including smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, woman's age, endometriosis and controlled ovarian stimulation (COS), during assisted reproductive technology (ART), in addition to genetic factors, such as hormone receptor polymorphisms, for example. We know that the increase in the reactive oxygen species (ROS) due to systemic disorders causes biochemical and morphological changes to the oocytes, interfering with their quality. The oocyte dysmorphism can be expressed through intra and/or extra cytoplasmic changes. In general, the size and number of oocytes' morphological abnormalities are directly related to preimplantation development failure. This case report is based on four in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles performed by a patient with oocyte dysmorphism in all oocytes captured. The literature review on this topic aims to relate the characteristics of the oocytes, presented in the case report, with research results about the quality and morphology of the oocytes.

Keywords: in vitro fertilization (IVF); oocyte dysmorphism; oocyte morphology; oocyte quality; reproductive outcomes.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Fertilization in Vitro
  • Humans
  • Oocytes*
  • Ovulation Induction*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Rate
  • Reproductive Techniques, Assisted