Live birth in a complete zona-free patient: a case report

Abstract

Objective To report a live birth from a patient with complete zona-free oocytes due to abnormal zona production and to reveal full time-lapse blastocyst development footage of its originating embryo. Methods A 34-year-old woman presented with a history of failed fertilization via standard in vitro fertilization insemination and a potential absence of zona pellucida. A total of 3 intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles were undertaken with all oocytes collected being zona-free. Embryos created in the initial 2 cycles were cultured in the G1+/G2+ sequential media in a benchtop incubator. During the final successful cycle, the culture strategy was shifted to single step media (G-TL) in an Embryoscope+ incubator. ResultsThe first 2 attempts led to a biochemical pregnancy or no blastocyst available for transfer. In the third cycle, 13 out of 24 collected oocytes were subjected to injection, with 4 being normally fertilized. Two blastocysts were subsequently formed, in which one was cryopreserved and the other transferred. A live baby girl (1570g) was subsequently delivered at 34 weeks of gestation by cesarean section. Conclusion Live birth can be achieved for patients with zona production deficiency. Adjustment in ovarian stimulation and subsequent embryo culture strategies may have potentially contributed to the success of the 3rd cycle.

Fate of human twin embryos generated unintentionally in in vitro fertilization: Clinical and ethical perspectives

“…Moreover, it provides mechanical support by preventing blastomere separation during embryo development [37] . Several studies has reported the successful fertilization, embryo development, implantation, and live birth using ZP-free oocytes in IVF [36,[38][39][40][41][42][43] . However, there are several safety concerns about ZP-free oocytes such as mechanical damage during ICSI, loss of blastomeres during embryo culture until compaction, risk of mechanical damage during routine handling or embryo transfer, and comparatively less tolerant to vitrification.…”

Morphometric and morphokinetic differences in the sperm- and oocyte-originated pronuclei of male and female human zygotes: a time-lapse study

“…Following controlled ovarian stimulation and transvaginal oocyte aspiration as described previously [20], cumulus-oocyte-complexes were identified and cultured in GIVF + (Vitrolife, Gothenburg, Sweden) at 37 °C in 6% CO 2 , 5% O 2 , and 89% N 2 in a MINC incubator (Cook Medical, Eight Mile Plains, Queensland, Australia). At 39-h posttrigger injection, cumulus cells were removed using a diluted hyalase solution of 25 IU/ml (Hyalase®; Sanofi Aventis, Sydney, Australia) and mechanical action.…”