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The relationship between size and maturation in vitro in the unstimulated human oocyte
K L Durinzi1, E M Saniga, S E Lanzendorf
1Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Illinois.
Objective:
To determine if the size of human oocytes at collection from unstimulated ovaries is related to their ability to resume meiosis and undergo maturation in vitro.
Design:
A comparative study of oocyte diameter at collection.
Setting:
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University Medical School.
Patients:
Women age 25 to 39 years of age undergoing gynecological procedures yielding oophorectomy specimens.
Intervention:
Oocytes obtained from ovarian tissue were cultured in Ham's F-10 and fetal bovine serum for 72 hours and observed two times per day.
Main Outcome Measure:
The oocytes ability to resume meiosis and complete maturation based on their diameter at collection.
Results:
Chi-squared analysis revealed a significant difference in oocytes measuring 86 to 105 microns versus those measuring 106 to 125 microns.
Conclusion:
The unstimulated human oocyte appears to have a size-dependent ability to resume meiosis and complete maturation.