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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

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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
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