​In vitro maturation, fertilization and development of human germinal vesicle oocytes collected from stimulated cycles Byung-Ki Kim, D.V.M., Ph.D., Sang-Chan Lee, M.D., Ph.D., Keun-Joo Kim, M.Sc., Chang-Hee Han, Ph.D., and Jong-Heung Kim, Ph.D.​ 

Fertility and Sterility Vol. 74, NO. 6, December 2000

In vitro maturation, fertilization, and

development of human germinal vesicle

oocytes collected from stimulated cycles

Byung-Ki Kim, D.V.M., Ph.D.a, Sang-Chan Lee, M.D.b, Keun-Joo Kim,

M.Sc.a, Chang-Hee Han, Ph.D.a, and Jong-Heung Kim, Ph.D.b

Dongeui University and Saewha Women's Clinic, Pusan, Korea

Objective: To evaluate whether germinal vesicle(GV) oocytes from 

stimulated cycles can be a source of embryos.

Design: In vitro model study.

Setting: Specialized laboratory of women's clinic.

Patient(s): Women in which oocytes were retrieved at the GV stage.

Intervention(s): After culture of GV oocytes in the modified TLP medium 

with human follicular fluid, oocytes that reached the metaphase Ⅱ stage 

underwent ICSI. Potential of fertilization and subsequent cleavage of in 

vitro-matured oocytes was compared with that of an in vivo-matured control.

Main Outcome Measure(s): Maturation rate, rate of pronuclei formation, and 

developmental activity.

Result(s): The maturation rate of GV oocytes from follicles primed with 

gonadotropin was not affected by the presence or absence of cumulus. 

However, the maturation was more synchronous in oocytes with cumulus than 

in those without cumulus. Proportions of oocytes with two pronuclei and 

embryos cleaved to the 16-cell stage after ICSI were significantly lower 

in the oocytes matrued in vitro than in the oocytes matured in vivo.

Conclusion(s): Human GV oocytes from stimulated ovaries can be matured, 

fertilized, and developed in vitro. Production of embryos from GV oocytes 

will increase the opportunity for achieving pregnancy.

Key words: Germinal vesicle, in vitro maturation, ICSI, pronuclei