{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Time-lapse monitoring of zona pellucida-free embryos obtained through in vitro fertilization: a retrospective case series.
{Author}: Bodri D;Kato R;Kondo M;Hosomi N;Katsumata Y;Kawachiya S;Matsumoto T;
{Journal}: Fertil Steril
{Volume}: 103
{Issue}: 5
{Year}: May 2015
{Factor}: 7.49
{DOI}: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2015.02.016
{Abstract}: <B>OBJECTIVE: </B>To report time-lapse monitoring of human oocytes in which the damaged zona pellucida was removed, producing zona-free (ZF) oocytes that were cultured until the blastocyst stage in time-lapse incubators.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Retrospective case series.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Private infertility clinic.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Infertile patients (n = 32) undergoing minimal ovarian stimulation or natural cycle IVF treatment between October 2012 and June 2014.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) fertilization of ZF oocytes, prolonged embryo culture in time-lapse incubators, elective vitrification, and subsequent single vitrified-thawed blastocyst transfer (SVBT).<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Rate of fertilization, cleavage and blastocyst development, live-birth rate per SVBT cycle.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>In spite of advanced maternal age (39 ± 4.2; range, 30-46 years), good fertilization (94%), cleavage (94%), and blastocyst development rates (38%) were reached after fertilization and culturing of ZF oocytes/embryos. All thawed ZF blastocysts survived, and up to this date seven SVBT transfers were performed, yielding three (43%) term live births with healthy newborns.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>Time-lapse imagery gives a unique insight into the dynamics of embryo development in ZF embryos. Moreover, our case series demonstrate that an oocyte with a damaged zona pellucida that has been removed could be successfully fertilized with ICSI, cultured until blastocyst stage in a time-lapse incubator and vitrified electively for subsequent use.