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In vitro development of human oocytes after parthenogenetic activation or intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

Paffoni A, Brevini TA, Somigliana E, Restelli L, Gandolfi F, Ragni G

Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Neonatology, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Mangiagalli and Regina Elena, Milan, Italy.

OBJECTIVE: To compare directly in vitro developmental competence between parthenogenetically activated and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)-fertilized oocytes. DESIGN: For each patient, three metaphase II oocytes were randomized to the ICSI procedure, while n-3 were allocated to parthenogenetic activation. SETTING: University hospital infertility unit. PATIENTS: Thirty-eight patients, aged 35.2 +/- 3.3 years (mean +/- SD) selected for ICSI. INTERVENTIONS: After 1 hour from denudation, oocytes were either fertilized by ICSI (n = 114) or chemically activated (n = 104). Fertilized and activated oocytes were cultured for up to 3 and 5 days, respectively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Development rate, cell number, and morphological grade during culture. RESULTS: The two groups showed no significant differences between rates of fertilization and parthenogenetic activation, development, and blastomere number on days 2 and 3 of culture. However, parthenotes showed a lower morphological grade, and a significantly lower proportion went on cleaving to day 3, when only activated rather than total numbers of oocytes were considered. On day 5 after activation, nine oocytes (8.6%) reached the blastocyst stage, representing 12.9% of parthenotes. CONCLUSIONS: Since most parameters examined in this study were similar between activated and fertilized oocytes, parthenogenetic activation may be a useful tool for the preclinical evaluation of experimental procedures.

Published 1 January 2007 in Fertil Steril, 87(1): 77-82.
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