NewsFeed
Headlines ASRM ESHRE FIGO ACOG Fertility and Sterility PCOS
October, 2026
October 2026
M T W T F S S
 1234
567891011
12131415161718
19202122232425
262728293031  
Lydia Akpan: Key Signs of Oocyte Dysmorphism
Lydia Akpan/LinkedIn
Apr 14, 2026, 14:51

Lydia Akpan: Key Signs of Oocyte Dysmorphism

Lydia Akpan, Embryologist Trainee at St. Ives Specialist Hospital, shared a post on LinkedIn:

“OOCYTE DYSMORPHISM: What I’m Learning in the Lab

As I recently began performing oocyte retrievals, I’ve had the opportunity to closely observe variations in c—some subtle, others quite striking.

OOCYTE DYSMORPHISM: refers to structural abnormalities in oocytes that can impact their quality, fertilization potential, and subsequent embryo development.
These abnormalities are broadly classified into:

1. Extracytoplasmic Dysmorphism (Outer Structures)

  • Zona pellucida abnormalities – Thick, thin, dark, or irregular; may affect sperm binding and fertilization.
  • Perivitelline space (PVS) abnormalities – Enlarged space or presence of debris/fragments.
  • Polar body abnormalities – Fragmented or enlarged; may indicate post-maturity or aging.

2. Cytoplasmic Dysmorphism (Internal Structures)

  • Vacuolated oocytes – Fluid-filled inclusions that may disrupt spindle formation.
  • Granular cytoplasm – Dark, uneven appearance linked to poorer embryo quality.
  • Smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) clusters – Associated with abnormal calcium regulation.
  • Giant oocytes – Abnormally large; may contain extra chromosomal material and increase risk of aneuploidy.
  • Refractile bodies – Dense inclusions, possibly indicating degeneration.
  • Dark oocytes – Often associated with poor prognosis

Possible contributing factors of dysmorphism include:

  • Poor ovarian stimulation response
  • Advanced maternal age
  • Oxidative stress
  • Suboptimal follicular environment
  • Lab handling conditions.

Each oocyte tells a story—and every retrieval is a learning opportunity.”

Lydia Akpan: Key Signs of Oocyte Dysmorphism

Stay updated on all scientific advances in the field of fertility with Fertility News.

Cytoplasmic Dysmorphism Dark oocytes degeneration embryo development Extracytoplasmic Dysmorphism Fertility Fertility News fertilization fertilization potential Fluid-filled inclusion follicular environment Giant oocytes Granular cytoplasm Lydia Akpan maternal age OOCYTE DYSMORPHISM Oocyte Morphology oxidative stress Perivitelline space Polar body abnormalities post-maturity Refractile bodies reproductive health Reproductive Medicine Smooth endoplasmic reticulum Vacuolated oocytes Zona Pellucida
NewsFeed