Effect of human granulosa cell co-culture using standard culture media on the maturation and fertilization potential of immature human oocytes

Objective

To determine whether culture of immature human oocytes with and without autologous cumulus cells (CC) in standard culture medium would provide additional oocytes for use in IVF procedures.

Design

Prospective study.

Setting

Hospital-based IVF practice.

Patient(s)

Sixty-one women undergoing 62 IVF–embryo transfer procedures between August 2004 and June 2005.

Intervention(s)

None.

Main Outcome Measure(s)

Oocyte maturation after culture with and without CC, oocyte fertilization, and zygote cleavage.

Result(s)

Culture with CC did not alter the maturation rate for metaphase I (M I) oocytes to the metaphase II (M II) stage. Germinal vesicle (GV) stage oocytes cultured with CC matured at a significantly higher rate than did GV oocytes cultured without CC. Although acceptable fertilization rates were obtained (62.1%), “usable” embryo yield was very low (13.0%).

Conclusion(s)

This study demonstrated good maturation of M I oocytes but poor maturation of GV oocytes in standard culture medium. Of the immature oocytes that did mature, were fertilized, and cleaved to embryos, only a very small number were actually suitable for patient use. Therefore, these extended culturing techniques were inefficient in maturing and providing additional oocytes/embryos for patient use. The use of specialized in vitro maturation medium may improve the utility of this process.

Key Words: Assisted reproductive technology, cumulus cells, in vitro maturation, infertility