Degenerated oocyte in the cohort adversely affects IVF outcome.

The presence of Degenerated Oocyte (DEG) was mostly described after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), with fewer reports on DEG at the time of ovum pick-up (OPU). This study aims to assess morphokinetics of embryos cultured in a time-lapse incubator and compare cohorts with and without DEG at OPU. In a retrospective cohort study from January 1, 2016 until September 31, 2017 a total of 399 IVF/ICSI cycles and 2980 embryos were evaluated. In 81 of 399 cycles at least one DEG oocyte was observed at the time of OPU. The remaining 318 cycles with no DEG oocyte were compared as a control group. In the DEG group, significantly more oocytes were collected per patient (12.9 ± 7.2 vs. 10.1 ± 6.1. P < 0.001). Fertilization rate, pregnancy and clinical pregnancy rates were comparable between the two groups, however, the morphokinetics and developmental scores of the embryos were significantly worse in the DEG group, (KID 3.4 ± 1.6 vs. 3.2 ± 1.6 P = 0.002 and ESHRE 1.5 ± 1.1 vs. 1.4 ± 1.0 P = 0.046). Significantly more patients achieved top-quality embryos in the NON DEG group (58.8% vs. 53.0%, P = 0.03), however, comparable delivery rate was achieved in both groups. In the DEG group, the frequency of DEG oocyte per cycle was negatively correlated with pregnancy rate. GnRH agonist protocol and the 17-20G needle used for OPU were significant predictors for the presence of DEG oocyte at OPU. In conclusions DEG oocyte may negatively affect IVF outcome, however, younger patients, and significantly more oocytes collected in the DEG group compensate for the IVF results.

CD11c+HLADR+ dendritic cells are present in human ovarian follicular fluid, and their maturity correlates with serum estradiol levels in response to gonadotropins.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether dendritic cells (DCs), innate immune cells that specialize in initiation and modulation of immune responses, are present in ovarian follicular fluid (FF) and whether their abundance and maturation state correlate with ovarian response to gonadotropins. DESIGN: Observational study. SETTING: IVF unit and laboratory for reproductive immunology. PATIENT(S): Patients undergoing IVF. INTERVENTION(S): None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): FF was collected from the first follicle aspirated in each patient, and cellular content was analyzed by flow cytometry. DCs were defined as CD45(+)CD11c(+)HLADR(+)-cells, and the intensity of HLADR expression indicated DC maturity. RESULT(S): The CD45(+)-hematopoietic cell compartment in FFs (n = 30) contained a significant fraction of CD11c(+)HLADR(+) DCs (15.4% ± 2.9%). The mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of HLADR expression, which reflects DC maturity, correlated positively with ovarian response to gondotropins, as determined by serum levels of E(2) on the day of hCG administration (r = 0.38). CONCLUSION(S): DCs make up a significant fraction of hematopoietic cells in the FF. Furthermore, DC maturation correlates positively with the ovarian response to gonadotropins. It is therefore conceivable that DCs contribute to the sterile inflammatory process in the follicle that leads to ovulation.