P-228 Competence of injected MI versus MII sibling oocytes in terms of normal fertilization, blastocyst development and euploidy
Authors: Martinez Robles I , Calull Bago A , Víctores Monroy A , Carrera González C  A , González Ortega C , Gutiérrez Gamiño A  M , Gutiérrez Gutiérrez A  M 
Published: July 2024

Study question

Is the injection of immature MI oocytes as effective as injection of their siblings mature MII oocytes regarding normal fertilization, blastocyst development and euploidy?

Summary answer

MI oocytes show a lower rate of fertilization, a similar blastulation rate, and a slightly lower rate of euploidy compared to their MII sibling oocytes.

What is known already

Although several studies have been performed on immature MI oocytes evaluating their developmental competence after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), all have been performed on oocytes that extruded the first polar body by the time of injection. ICSI is typically performed on MII oocytes which have completed the process of maturation. Some laboratories also inject MI oocytes, nevertheless, they are generally not used due to the lack of required molecular and cellular changes to support normal development. However, there is limited research on the reproductive potential of oocytes in MI. Consequently, our current practices are founded on assumptions.

Study design, size, duration

This is a retrospective, observational study of 168 oocytes injected in MI and 839 sibling oocytes injected in MII from 82 ICSI cycles with Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidies (PGT-A) performed in a single IVF clinic between April 2018 and December 2023. All PGT-A cycles included in this study contained at least one MI oocyte injected.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

After oocyte retrieval and denudation, the oocytes were classified as MII, MI or GV. MI oocytes with extruded polar body by the moment of ICSI were reclassified as MII. All MII and MI oocytes were inseminated and the embryos that reached blastocyst stage were biopsied on day 5, 6 or 7. Normal fertilization rate, blastocyst formation rate and euploidy rate were compared between MI-derived embryos and their MII-derived siblings.

Main results and the role of chance

A total of 1,094 oocytes were retrieved from 83 ICSI cycles with PGT-A, comprising 839 (76.7%) MII, 168 (15.4%) MI y 87 (7.9%) VG. The normal fertilization rate was significantly higher in oocytes injected at MII compared to MI (76.9% vs 53.0%, P &lt; 0.001). The rates of abnormal fertilization in MII and MI oocytes were as follows: 1 PN 0.8% vs 0.6%, P = 0.342; 3PN 2.6% vs 1.2%, P = 0.075; 0 PN 19.7% vs 45.2%, P &lt; 0.001. Interestingly, the blastulation rate of zygotes with normal fertilization was very similar between both groups (46.4% vs 43.8%, P = 0.708), as well as the proportion of biopsied blastocysts on day 5 (74.2% vs 71.8%, P = 0.858), on day 6 (23.1% vs 25.6%, P = 0.946), and on day 7 (2.7% vs 2.6%, P = 0.594). The euploidy rate of the 298 biopsied MII-derived blastocyst was 36.2%, compared with 23.1% of the 39 MI-derived blastocysts biopsied (P = 0.077). Despite the limited sample size, it is noteworthy that three out of the four euploid blastocysts derived from MI oocytes, which were transferred in single embryo transfers, successfully led to pregnancy resulting in one healthy live birth, one ongoing pregnancy and one miscarriage at 9 weeks of pregnancy.

Limitations, reasons for caution

While this study provides valuable insights into the developmental competence of MI oocytes, it is not exempt from certain limitations, such as its retrospective nature, limited sample size and ethical considerations regarding the injection of putative immature oocytes.

Wider implications of the findings

MI oocytes showed lower fertilization rates compared to their MII siblings. However, once fertilized, MI-derived embryos had similar blastulation rates and a trend towards lower euploidy rates. Our study suggests that MI oocytes may result in successful pregnancies and live birth, but further research is needed to validate these findings.

Trial registration number

Not applicable