Coarse granulation in the perivitelline space and IVF-ICSI outcome.

PURPOSE: To study the effect of the presence of coarse granules in the perivitelline space (PVS) of oocytes on embryonic development, and on implantation and pregnancy rates in IVF. METHODS: The study population included 24 patients treated during the period 1995-2000. The majority or all of their oocytes exhibited repeatedly coarse granulation in the PVS. Clinical and laboratory cycle characteristics of their 65 IVF-ICSI cycles and the resulting implantation and pregnancy rates were compared to a matched control group of 65 IVF- ICSI cycles without granulation in the PVS. RESULTS: A total of 623 oocytes were retrieved, 418 oocytes fertilized, and 246 embryos were transferred in the study group. No difference was detected between the study and control group with regard to patients' clinical data, IVF cycle characteristics, mean number of oocytes retrieved and fertilized, and mean number of embryos transferred. Only seven pregnancies were achieved in the study group, leading to pregnancy and implantation rates of 10.7 and 5.7%, respectively. Pregnancy and implantation rates were significantly higher in the control group of matched IVF-ICSI cycles without granulation in the PVS (32.5 and 11.5%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of coarse granules in the PVS correlates with low implantation and pregnancy rates in IVF-ICSI cycles and might be regarded as a distinct entity, part of the yet poorly defined condition of "egg factor infertility."