TITLE:
Effect of Early Cumulus Cell Removal on the Fertilization and Clinical Outcome in Human in Vitro Fertilization
AUTHORS:
Jilong Liu, Meiyan Chen, Chunlian Lin, Xunjin Weng, Zhongming Meng, Weijun Tang
KEYWORDS:
Short-Term Insemination, Cumulus Cells, Embryo Quality, Clinical Outcomes
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Reproductive Sciences,
Vol.3 No.3,
August
7,
2015
ABSTRACT: The short-term insemination technique has been widely applied, although it is not clear whether the mechanical desorption of cumulus cells can affect normal fertilization and birth outcomes. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate whether early cumulus cell removal could affect in vitro fertilization outcomes. Based on a history of infertility and semen analysis, 61 patients were identified, and the cumulus cells were mechanically removed at either6 h post-insemination (Group A, 387 mature oocytes) or 18 - 20 h post-insemination as traditional in vitro fertilization (Group B, 424 mature oocytes). There were no significant differences in the rates of fertilization, available embryos, high quality embryos, birth, premature birth, pregnancy, or implantation when we compared the two groups. However, Group A exhibited a significantly higher polyspermy rate, and significantly lower rates of blastocyst formation and high-quality blastocyst formation, compared with Group B. Therefore, the results of present study indicate that early cumulus cell removal (at 6 h post-insemination) may negatively affect the rates of polyspermy, blastocyst formation, and high-quality blastocyst formation.