Degenerative Oocytes in the Aspirated Cohort Are Not Due to the Aspirating Needle: a Prospective Randomized Pilot...

The aim of this study is to compare two different needles (17G vs. 20-17G variable diameter) used for OPU and to assess whether the different stress forces along the needle affect the presence of degenerative oocytes, oocyte quality, and embryo morphokinetics. Prospective, randomized study enrolled women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) from August 2016 through August 2018 in an IVF unit at a tertiary care medical center. Ovaries were randomly aspirated using either a 20-17G needle or a 17G needle. The embryologist was blinded to the aspirating needle and sibling oocytes were separated according to needle used for fertilization and further evaluation. Oocytes were scored negatively if one of the following parameters was abnormal immediately after OPU: polar body shape, zona pellucida, cytoplasm, perivitelline space, or vacuoles. The presence of degenerative oocytes was noted at OPU. A total of 580 oocytes from 43 women were evaluated, 293 in the 17G needle group and 287 in the 20-17G group. Oocyte scoring was comparable between the two different needles (- 1.99 ± 1.9 vs. - 1.88 ± 1.69; P = 0.13), as were embryo quality and pregnancy rate. Cohorts with degenerative oocytes had lower oocyte scores (- 2.11 ± 1.81 vs. - 1.60 ± 1.50; P = 0.001) and poorer performance and fertilization rates (62.5% vs. 78.5%; P < 0.001) than did cohorts with no degenerative oocytes. Cycles with degenerative oocytes in the cohort at OPU demonstrated poorer oocyte quality and decreased fertilization, regardless of the needle used. 1.5.2016 NIH number NCT02749773.