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.”
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