Does large (>24mm) follicle yield a competent oocyte/embryo?

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the effect of large follicular size ( > 24mm) at day of oocyte retrieval on oocyte/embryo quality. Patients and Methods: A cohort study conducted in a single tertiary medical center between July 2018 and May 2019. Before ultrasound-guided follicular aspiration, follicles were measured and divided into two groups according to their maximal dimensional size: large: ≥24 mm and normal: <24 mm. Microscopic examination of the follicular aspirates was performed by embryologist. Each follicle aspirated was evaluated for oocyte maturation, oocyte fertilization and embryo quality. Results: 428 follicles were measured, including 383 (62.81%) in the normal and 45 (14.06%) in the large follicle groups. Oocytes were achieved during aspiration from 297 (75.5%) and 29 (64.4%) of the normal and large follicle groups, respectively (p=0.05). No in-between group differences were observed in mature oocyte (MII), fertilization and top quality embryo (TQE) rates. Nevertheless, once a zygote (2PN) was achieved, a trend toward a higher TQE rate/2PN was found in the large follicle group [16 /19 (84.2%) vs. 115/171 (67.3%); p=0.062]. Conclusion: While a non-significant decrease in oocyte recovery rate was found in follicles ≥24 mm, the zygote and TQE per follicles were comparable.** Drs. Orvieto and Mohr-Sasson should be considered "similar in author order."