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Ovarian stimulation and embryo quality

Ovarian stimulation and embryo quality
Ovarian stimulation and embryo quality
To study the effects of different ovarian stimulation approaches on oocyte and embryo quality, it is imperative to assess embryo quality with a reliable and objective method. Embryos rated as high quality by standardized morphological assessment are associated with higher implantation and pregnancy rates. However, embryo morphology on day 3 after fertilization is not a reliable indication of a normal chromosomal constitution. Therefore, using embryo morphology as the sole parameter for embryo quality is not ideal. Screening of embryos for chromosomal aneuploidies before transfer can be used to assess the chromosomal competence of embryos, which has been shown to have a direct relationship with the approach used for ovarian stimulation. However, gene expression analysis of cumulus granulosa cells is a promising non-invasive technique for determining embryo quality. Cumulus cells are closely associated with oocytes, and oocyte-cumulus cell communication is vital to oocyte development. Cumulus cells respond to both gonadotrophins and paracrine factors from oocytes, with a distinct gene expression pattern. Future approaches analysing the expression of relevant genes in cumulus cells using real-time polymerase chain reaction may enable us to monitor the consequences of different stimulation protocols and identify the underlying molecular mechanisms by which they influence oocyte/embryo quality.


1472-6483
45-50
Baart, Esther
68a297ea-18c2-4c4d-9d96-a7aba945f72c
Macklon, N.S.
7db1f4fc-a9f6-431f-a1f2-297bb8c9fb7e
Fauser, B.J.C.M.
5cd9224a-2422-4c7d-a2af-94c1aafd4b00
Baart, Esther
68a297ea-18c2-4c4d-9d96-a7aba945f72c
Macklon, N.S.
7db1f4fc-a9f6-431f-a1f2-297bb8c9fb7e
Fauser, B.J.C.M.
5cd9224a-2422-4c7d-a2af-94c1aafd4b00

Baart, Esther, Macklon, N.S. and Fauser, B.J.C.M. (2009) Ovarian stimulation and embryo quality. Reproductive BioMedicine Online, 18, supplement 2, 45-50.

Record type: Article

Abstract

To study the effects of different ovarian stimulation approaches on oocyte and embryo quality, it is imperative to assess embryo quality with a reliable and objective method. Embryos rated as high quality by standardized morphological assessment are associated with higher implantation and pregnancy rates. However, embryo morphology on day 3 after fertilization is not a reliable indication of a normal chromosomal constitution. Therefore, using embryo morphology as the sole parameter for embryo quality is not ideal. Screening of embryos for chromosomal aneuploidies before transfer can be used to assess the chromosomal competence of embryos, which has been shown to have a direct relationship with the approach used for ovarian stimulation. However, gene expression analysis of cumulus granulosa cells is a promising non-invasive technique for determining embryo quality. Cumulus cells are closely associated with oocytes, and oocyte-cumulus cell communication is vital to oocyte development. Cumulus cells respond to both gonadotrophins and paracrine factors from oocytes, with a distinct gene expression pattern. Future approaches analysing the expression of relevant genes in cumulus cells using real-time polymerase chain reaction may enable us to monitor the consequences of different stimulation protocols and identify the underlying molecular mechanisms by which they influence oocyte/embryo quality.


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More information

Published date: 2009
Additional Information: Contributions from stand-alone meeting 'Update in Infertility Treatment (UIT)': Special Supplement Issue

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 150739
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/150739
ISSN: 1472-6483
PURE UUID: 869ff8d5-7a32-4e8f-bc28-3599ab430dbc

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Date deposited: 06 May 2010 13:04
Last modified: 08 Jan 2022 05:31

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Contributors

Author: Esther Baart
Author: N.S. Macklon
Author: B.J.C.M. Fauser

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