A case report of giant smooth endoplasmic reticulum clusters in oocytes, post-ICSI: Successful outcome leading to live birth

Yuhua Zhang, Kunkun Liu, Dan Wang, Pingping Sun, Jinguang Wang, Wenjie Zhao

Abstract

This particular case study examines the association between oocyte morphology and assisted reproductive technology (ART), particularly, the smooth endoplasmic reticulum clusters (sERCs). It describes an extraordinary case in which 80% of the mature oocytes had giant sERCs, which raised concerns about the oocyte quality and the resultant embryonic development and clinical prognosis It concerned a patient who underwent intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Two embryos, derived from oocytes with sERCs, were transferred on day 3 following ICSI and sERCs became the focus. The results covered the entire continuum of fertilization, embryonic maturation, and clinical outcomes, the endpoint of which was a successful live birth. Such results demonstrate the complex background between the oocyte dysmorphia and reproductive performance, still, in ART, it is possible that considerable dysmorphia is not necessarily a negative prognostic factor. Further studies are needed to address the oocyte dysmorphia and ART’s changes

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