Effects of granulosa cells, cumulus cells, and oocyte density on in vitro fertilization in women

The objective of this study was to determine if in vitro fertilization (IVF ) rate is affected by the diameter of oocyte-cumulus complex (OCC), by cocu lturing oocytes with autologous granulosa cells, or by increasing Ihe oocyt e density in culture medium. Women with previous fertility problems underwe nt the IVF program. In study 1, the diameter of OCC was graded on retrieval on a scale of 0-3: grade 0 = no cumulus at al I; grade 1 = diameter of 75- 100 mu m; grade 2 = diameter of 125-150 mu m; and grade 3 = diameter of 200 -225 mu m. In study 2, oocytes were cocultured with autologous granulosa ce lls. In study 3, oocytes were cocultured in groups of one, two, or four. OC Cs with a grade >1.5/3 resulted in a greater (P = 0.04) proportion of embry o/oocyte than did OCCs with a grade < 1.5/3 (0.91 +/- 0.05 vs 0.68 +/- 0.10 ; mean +/- SEM), Coculturing oocytes with autologous granulosa cells did no t affect (P = 0.42) the proportion of embryo/oocyte (0.63 +/- 0.11 vs 0.74 +/- 0.07 in controls). Coculturing oocytes in groups of two or four in cult ure drop did not affect (P = 0.37 and P = 0.38, respectively) the proportio n of embryo/oocyte (0.63 +/- 0.07 vs 0.73 +/- 0.08 in controls, and 0.73 +/ - 0.08 vs 0.63 +/- 0.08 in controls, respectively). In conclusion, cocultur ing oocytes with autologous granulosa cells or increasing the oocyte densit y from 1 to 2 or 4 oocytes/culture drop, in the context of our study, did n ot affect rate of IVF and embryo formation. The diameter of OCC at retrieva l may give some indication regarding its future fertilization and developme nt. This diameter varies with the type of ovarian stimulation and the patie nt's age. This variation in diameter does not correlate with oocyte maturit y.