Oocyte maturation occurs simultaneously with follicular development and is generally of a single oocyte in a natural cycle. It is necessary for an oocyte to be mature, at the level of nucleus and cytoplasm, so that it can give rise to a correct fertilization and embryonic development.
During the ovarian stimulation protocols of in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles, hormonal treatment is administered in order to control follicular development and the maturation of a greater number of oocytes. Therefore, oocyte maturation does not occur physiologically.
Because of this, the question has arisen as to whether ovarian stimulation can affect the quality of the oocyte and the future embryo.
Read the full article on: Does ovarian stimulation influence embryo quality? ( 42).
By Rut Gómez de Segura M.D. (gynecologist), Silvia Azaña Gutiérrez B.Sc., M.Sc. (embryologist) and Cristina Algarra Goosman B.Sc., M.Sc. (psychologist).
Last Update: 12/15/2021
