A new oocyte-holding pipette for intracytoplasmic sperm injection without cytoplasmic aspiration: An experimental...

We assessed the feasibility of using a new oocyte-holding pipette (pipette without aspiration, PiWA) for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), which prevents cytoplasmic aspiration during microinjection. A pilot experimental study in eight mature mouse oocytes to assess the feasibility of the oocyte-holding PiWA for ICSI procedure. The absence of oocyte degeneration after microinjection and the viability of correct embryo development were also evaluated. The pipette comprises a suction conduit inside an elongated cylindrical body and a funnel-shaped working end, which is dimensioned to hold the oocyte in a tight-fitting manner. Upon aspirating via the suction conduit, the oocyte remains partially trapped inside the funnel and becomes deformed changing the spherical shape of its resting state to an oval shape that tensions the surface and increases the turgor. In all ICSI procedures using the new PiWA, the oocyte membrane presented some resistance but was easily broken when exerting some pressure or small aspiration. The eight oocytes developed, six of which reached the blastocyte stage. The results obtained in this study indicate that the increase in oocyte membrane turgidity caused by PiWA prevents vigorous aspiration of the cytoplasm during spermatozoa microinjection.