Influence of well defined protein source on in vitro maturation of human oocyte: human follicular fluid versus human serum albumin

Jee, Byung Chul; Han, Sang Hoon; Moon, Jeong Hee; Suh, Chang Suk; Kim, Seok Hyun; Seoul National University College of Medicine Assisted Reproductive Technology (SMART) Study Group,

doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2007.02.052

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Volume 89, Issue 2 , Pages 348-352, February 2008

Influence of well defined protein source on in vitro maturation of human oocyte: human follicular fluid versus human serum albumin

Byung Chul Jee, M.D., Ph.D.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Gyeonggi, Korea
- Reprint requests: Byung Chul Jee, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, 300 Gumi, Bundang, Seongnam, Gyeonggi 463–707, Korea (FAX: 82-031-787-4054).
Sang Hoon Han, M.D.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Gyeonggi, Korea
Jeong Hee Moon, B.S.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Gyeonggi, Korea
Chang Suk Suh, M.D., Ph.D.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Gyeonggi, Korea
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
Seok Hyun Kim, M.D., Ph.D.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
Seoul National University College of Medicine Assisted Reproductive Technology (SMART) Study Group

Received 12 September 2006; received in revised form 22 February 2007; accepted 22 February 2007. published online 04 May 2007.

Objective

To compare developmental competency of immature human oocytes matured in vitro in G2 media supplemented by two different protein sources.

Design

Retrospective comparative study.

Setting

University Hospital IVF program.

Patient(s)

Sixty-five consecutive women from whom at least one immature oocyte was obtained during 76 cycles of ovarian hyperstimulation and IVF.

Intervention(s)

G2 media containing human follicular fluid (hFF) (from January to August 2005) or human serum albumin (HSA) (from Sep 2005 to Aug 2006) were used for in vitro maturation of immature oocytes.

Main Outcome Measure(s)

In vitro maturation rate of immature oocytes and their fertilization rate.

Result(s)

A total of 231 immature oocytes including 107 germinal vesicle (GV) stage and 124 metaphase I (MI) were cultured in vitro and then fertilized by intracytoplasmic sperm injection. The in vitro maturation rate of GV (40.6% vs. 52.0%) and MI oocytes (84.4% vs. 70.0%) and the fertilization rate in GV (76.9% vs. 48.7%) and MI oocytes (70.4% vs. 73.4%) were not different between hFF- and HSA-supplemented G2 media. The cleavage rates of embryos generated from either GV or MI were similar between the two groups, but they were seldom used in embryo transfer.

Conclusion(s)

Developmental competency of immature oocytes was comparable when matured in vitro with G2 media supplemented by either hFF or HSA. Our results suggest that hFF as a protein supplement for human in vitro maturation can be replaced by highly defined HSA.

Key Words: Immature oocyte, in vitro maturation, human follicular fluid, human serum albumin