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Chapter 11 - Morphological Assessment of Oocyte Quality

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 November 2022

By
Basak Balaban ,
İpek Keles  and
Thomas Ebner
Edited by
Rachel Cutting  and
Mostafa Metwally
Rachel Cutting
Affiliation:
Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, London
Mostafa Metwally
Affiliation:
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals and the University of Sheffield
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Summary

Assessment of oocyte morphology and determination of its correlation with quality/viability and the clinical outcome is a difficult task, as the underlying mechanisms that change the appearance are multifactorial and complex. Optimal oocyte morphology is defined as an oocyte with spherical structure enclosed by a uniform zona pellucida (ZP), with a uniform translucent cytoplasm free of inclusions and a size-appropriate polar body (Pb) (Figure 11.1). However, oocytes at the metaphase II (MII) stage retrieved from patients after ovarian stimulation are known to show significant morphological variations that may affect the developmental competence and implantation potential of the derived embryo [1, 2].

Type
Chapter
Information
Manual of Oocyte Retrieval and Preparation in Human Assisted Reproduction , pp. 85 - 97
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2022

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