Relation of Cumulus Cell Status with Single Oocyte Maturity, Fertilization Capability and Patient Age

Background: The production of competent oocytes depends on a bi-directional communication between the oocyte and cumulus cells. The goal of this study was to determine whether simple parameters monitored in cumulus cells from individual human oocytes have any predictive value, and thus correlate with clinically relevant parameters. Methods: 97 cumulus-oocyte complexes were recovered from 31 patients undergo-ing ICSI treatment. After the oocytes were denuded, cumulus cell density from indi-vidual oocytes was determined. Cells were probed for viability using propidium io-dide and for apoptosis by Annexin V staining or by monitoring caspase activity. These parameters were correlated with oocyte status, fertilization ability and patient age (≤29 years old and ≥30 years old). All variables were checked for normal distri-bution and then compared by Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney or one-way ANOVA tests. Results: Mature oocytes were surrounded by more cumulus cells (16073±2595