INTRODUCTION
In recent times, in addition to morphological evaluation of spermatozoa and embryos, attention has been paid to the problem of assessing the morphological parameters of human oocytes, as there are more and more reports about their impact on the outcomes of assisted reproductive technology (ART) programs.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the oocyte morphological parameters of women of different age groups and their impact on the embryological stage of ART program.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Patients undergoing in vitro fertilization treatment at “EkoKlinika” LLC were divided by age into four groups: up to 29 years (n=11, number of oocytes =208), from 30 to 34 years (n=18, number of oocytes = 243), from 35 to 39 years (n=18, number of oocytes = 192), from 40 years and above (n=6, number of oocytes = 42). The following parameters were analyzed: the number of mature oocytes, the number of abnormal oocytes and the distribution of specific dysmorphisms by age groups, the presence of correlations between oocyte dysmorphisms and the outcomes of ART programs.
RESULTS
There were no statistically significant differences in oocyte maturity in the age groups. In patients of the aged group 40 years and above, a statistically significant increase in the proportion of abnormal oocytes was revealed compared to all other groups of women. A moderate direct statistically significant correlation was found between the presence of refractory bodies in the cytoplasm of the oocyte and the age of the patients. Other dysmorphisms did not show correlations with age. There is also a moderate direct relationship between the number of obtained oocytes and such dysmorphisms of oocytes as central granulation and perivitelline debris. According to statistical correlation analysis, the following anomalies of oocyte morphology had an impact on early embryogenesis: central granulation, perivitelline debris, an increase of perivitelline space, anomalies of zona pellucida and anomalies of the first polar body (fragmentation and size increase).
CONCLUSION
With the age of a woman, the quality of oocytes deteriorates significantly, manifested in an increase in the frequency of morphological anomalies. Some dysmorphism affects the parameters of early embryogenesis, while no strong correlations between these anomalies and unfavorable outcomes of ART programs have been revealed.
