RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the addition of intact cumulus cell mass (ICM) to both embryo culture (EC) and embryo transfer (ET) improves embryo quality and pregnancy rates. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 133 infertile couples were included, of which 67 received ICM (study group) and 66 did not (control group). The ICM was obtained from a simple cutting of the cumulus corona oocyte complex (CCOC). A case control study design was used. RESULTS: The clinical characteristics of the two groups before the embryo culturing step were similar with respect to age, estradiol level on the day of hCG and endometrial thickness on the day of embryo transfer (p>0.05). On the other hand study group with ICM had higher number of high quality embryos (3.1±1.4 vs 2.4±1.1, p=0.03), higher implantation rate (53.7% vs 34.8%, p=0.02) and higher ultrasound confirmation of gestational sac and fetal heart beat as ongoing pregnancy rates (44.7% vs 27.2%, p=0.04) compared to the control group without ICM. CONCLUSION: Addition of ICM improves embryo quality and pregnancy rates. This is a cost-and time-effective simple procedure that shows great promise for the improvement of infertility treatment.