Ultrastructural evaluation of recurrent and in-vitro maturation resistant metaphase I arrested oocytes
Date
2001
Authors
Windt M.-L.
Coetzee K.
Kruger T.F.
Marino H.
Kitshoff M.S.
Sousa M.
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Abstract
An infertile couple whose female partner showed recurrent retrieval of immature metaphase I (MI) oocytes that were resistant to in-vitro maturation, was studied. Four spermiograms revealed teratozoospermia. Consistent non-fertilization and negative pregnancy outcomes were obtained after intrauterine insemination, gamete intra-Fallopian transfer and IVF. Two intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles were finally performed. All oocytes (n = 17) in both cycles were arrested at MI and failed to mature after 48 h culture. ICSI also resulted in total non-fertilization. In the last cycle, two oocytes were analysed by transmission electron microscopy and showed almost identical results. All organelles showed normal characteristics of an MI oocyte. The main abnormality found was related to the MI spindle, with absence of microtubules and dispersion of the female chromosomes. Minor abnormalities were observed (immature fibrous appearance of the zona pellucida; the presence of small vesicle aggregates which formed a foam-like body). The injected sperm nucleus was arrested in the middle of the chromatin decondensation process, with no visible nuclear envelope reformation. Normal disruption of sperm acrosomal and flagellar components were observed. Only a partial cortical reaction was observed. This represents the first documented case of developmental arrest due to complete absence of spindle formation in association with an otherwise mature ooplasm.
Description
Keywords
bromocriptine mesilate, chorionic gonadotropin, human menopausal gonadotropin, nafarelin acetate, triptorelin, acrosome, adult, article, case report, cell aggregation, cell culture, cell growth, cell nucleus, cell nucleus membrane, cell organelle, cell ultrastructure, cell vacuole, chromatin condensation, chromosome segregation, female, fertilization, fertilization in vitro, gamete intrafallopian transfer, human, human cell, infertility, intracytoplasmic sperm injection, intrauterine insemination, male, meiosis, metaphase, microtubule, mitosis spindle, oocyte maturation, pregnancy, spermatozoon tail, spermiogram, transmission electron microscopy, zona pellucida, Acrosome, Chromatin, Chromosomes, Culture Techniques, Cytoplasm, Female, Fertilization in Vitro, Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer, Humans, Infertility, Insemination, Artificial, Homologous, Male, Meiosis, Metaphase, Microscopy, Electron, Microtubules, Nuclear Envelope, Oligospermia, Oocytes, Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic, Sperm Tail, Spermatozoa, Treatment Outcome, Zona Pellucida
Citation
Human Reproduction
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