Chromosomal abnormalities in the first and second polar body

Aneuploidy free oocytes may be pre-selected by testing the first and second polar bodies removed from oocytes following their maturation and fertiliza tion. We present here our experience on the application of the method in IV F cycles from patients of advanced maternal age. Overall, 5590 oocytes were obtained from 917 cycles and tested by polar body sampling and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis using specific probes for chromosome s 13, 16, 18, 21 and 22. FISH results were available in 4599 (82.2%) of 559 0 oocytes studied. from which 2077(45.2%) were with aneuploidies. Thirty si x point one percent of aneuploidies were of the first meiotic origin., and 29.3% of the second meiotic origin. Most errors in the first meiotic divisi on were represented by chromatid errors. The transfer of embryos deriving f rom 2014 of 2520 aneuploidy free oocytes in 821 treatment cycles resulted i n 182 (22.2%) clinical pregnancies and 140 healthy children born after conf irmation of the polar body diagnosis. Polar body testing of oocytes provide s an approach for pre-selection of aneuploidy free embryos, improving pregn ancy rate in IVF patents of advanced maternal age. (C) 2001 Elsevier Scienc e Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.