PCR-detected hepatitis C virus RNA associated with human zona-intact oocytes collected from infected women for ART

The aim of this study was to investigate the susceptibility of human oocytes from hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA-positive women to HCV contamination during assisted reproductive technology (ART).

A reverse transcriptase-PCR assay was used to test for the presence of HCV RNA associated with 24 unfertilized oocytes 48 h after follicular fluid aspiration in 10 IVF attempts (seven conventional IVF and three ICSI). Negative and positive controls (10 unfertilized oocytes from HCV-negative women and 20 unfertilized oocytes artificially contaminated with HCV RNA-positive plasma; HCV RNA was also quantified in plasma and follicular fluid) were included.

HCV RNA was associated with 17/24 (70.8%) oocytes (6/7 after ICSI and 11/17 after conventional IVF) and was found in 19/20 (95%) follicular fluid samples. A weak correlation was found between plasma and follicular fluid HCV RNA loads (r = 0.73, P < 0.001).

HCV associated with unfertilized oocytes surrounded by their intact zona pellucida from anti-HCV antibody-positive and viraemic women undergoing ART raises questions concerning the safe management of medically assisted procreation for these women and good practice of oocyte/embryo cryopreservation and donation.