Self-oocyte activation and parthenogenesis: an unusual outcome of a misconducted IVF cycle

Abstract

A rare cause of infertility is the lack of fertilisation with the spontaneous activation of oocytes, leading to parthenogenesis. We present such a case. The patient was a G1P0 38-year-old woman of African ethnicity, who requested an in vitro fertilisation (IVF) with donor sperm. She received a stimulation protocol of 75 IU of FSH/LH from day 3 of the cycle, which she interrupted after 2 d, and restarted with the same dosage for another 3 d from day 7, plus one administration of GnRH antagonist in day 10 of the cycle. With a follicle reaching 19 mm on day 11, estradiol of 325 ng/ml, ovulation was induced with hMG 5000 UI, and oocyte pick-up performed at 30 h. One oocyte was retrieved, and good-quality sperms were added to the insemination procedure. No fecundation occurred at 20 h, with the extruded oocyte separated from the granulosa wall. At 40 h and 64 h the aspect was of three cells, one cell with one nucleus, the others with high granulation and no visible nuclei. This case shows an unusual self-activation oocyte in a poorly managed IVF cycle. The patient will be further evaluated, to decide if a better managed stimulation protocol would prevent recurrence.

Genetic analysis of recurrent parthenogenesis: A case report and literature review

“…One oocyte was retrieved, donated sperms were used for IVF and an extruded oocyte with one nucleus separate from the granulosa cell wall was described. At 40 h, the aspect was of parthenogenic oocytes in a three-cell cluster, one cell with one nucleus, the others with high granulation and no visible pro-nucleus ( 4 ) ( Table I ).…”

“…It is common to obtain metaphase II (MII), MI or germinal vesicle (GV) oocytes in in vitro fertilization (IVF). Cases of spontaneous oocyte activation (parthenogenesis) in vivo have previously been reported (1)(2)(3)(4). However, the mechanisms of the oocyte activation in natural or stimulated cycles have remained to be clarified.…”

Inability to Maintain Metaphase-II Arrest due to Increase of Reactive Oxygen Species in Rat Eggs

“…The abortive SEA was reported for the first time by Keefer and Schuetz in 1982 in rats [9] and thereafter in mice [10], rats [1,11], hamsters [12], pigs [13], bovines [14], camels [15], and humans [16]. Abortive SEA has made somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) and IVF programs challenging, and limits assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcome in mammals [3,5,17,18]. The environmental changes, loss of natural habitats, and limited resources cause stress in several mammalian species including human [19].…”