The Effect of hCG Supplementation on Embryo Quality after Rescue In Vitro Maturation (r-IVM)

Novita  Prasetiawati; Ayu Mulia  Sundari; Agus  Supriyadi; Hadi  Sjarbaini; Tarigan  Sudirmanto; Gde  Suardana; Mohammad  Haekal; Gangsar  Pariyanti; Deana Rosaria  Indah; Mulyoto  Pangestu; Anom  Bowolaksono

doi:10.18502/jri.v26i3.20179

Novita Prasetiawati Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Indonesia, Depok, Indonesia
Ayu Mulia Sundari Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms in Biological System (CEMBIOS) Research Group, Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Indonesia, Depok, Indonesia
Agus Supriyadi Melati Clinic, Harapan Kita Women and Children Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia
Hadi Sjarbaini Melati Clinic, Harapan Kita Women and Children Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia
Tarigan Sudirmanto Melati Clinic, Harapan Kita Women and Children Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia
Gde Suardana Melati Clinic, Harapan Kita Women and Children Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia
Mohammad Haekal Melati Clinic, Harapan Kita Women and Children Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia
Gangsar Pariyanti Melati Clinic, Harapan Kita Women and Children Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia
Deana Rosaria Indah Melati Clinic, Harapan Kita Women and Children Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia
Mulyoto Pangestu Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
Anom Bowolaksono Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Indonesia, Depok, Indonesia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jri.v26i3.20179

Keywords: Embryo, Human chorionic gonadotropin, Oocytes, Rescue IVM

Abstract

Background: The supplementation of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) into culture medium in rescue in vitro maturation (r-IVM) has been reported to improve the maturation rates of immature oocytes derived from stimulated cycles. However, the impact of this enrichment on embryo quality is yet to be understood. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the effect of hCG on the embryo quality following r-IVM.

Methods: A total of 152 immature oocytes consisting of germinal vesicles (GV) and metaphase I (MI) were collected and classified into 1) control group (n=73; GV=22, MI=51) cultured in culture medium only, and 2) experimental group (n=79; GV= 23, MI=56) cultured in culture medium supplemented with 0.5 IU hCG. Study parameters were analyzed using Student’s T-test or Kruskal Wallis and chi-square at a 95% confidence level.

Results: After 24 hr, the maturation rate of the control and experimental groups was comparable (57% vs. 70%, p=0.58). Following intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), the fertilization rate was significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group (49% vs. 36%; p=0.03). However, the number of good-quality embryos was similar in the groups (16% vs. 6%).

Conclusion: Our study suggests that hCG supplementation into the culture medium during r-IVM does not affect embryo quality but improves the fertilization rate. Further research is needed to scrutinize the role of hCG in fertilization.