The quality of human eggs and its pre-IVF incubation

Multi-factors influence the success rate of infertility treatments, and one of the important points is to obtain good quality eggs.

Based on the literatures and unpublished data, the factors affecting egg quality were summarized.

Egg quality is an important determinant in successful infertility treatment. In addition to maternal age, controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) protocols also play a key role in affecting the quality of the egg. After egg retrieval, the insemination occurs 3-6 h after collection, with a pre-IVF incubation time by in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) (39-42 h post-HCG injection). The pre-IVF incubation refers to the short period time of 3 to 6 h after oocyte retrieval and before the insemination by IVF or ICSI. The pre-IVF incubation of collected eggs in the designed culture medium improves egg quality in terms of maturation and early embryonic development.

Pre-IVF incubation of the collected eggs contributes to the improvement of the quality of eggs; therefore, it may increase subsequent pregnancy and implantation rates following embryo transfer.