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An experimental study was conducted at Saint Barnabas Medical Center, Livingston, New Jersey, USA, between 1996 and 2001. The study aimed to improve embryonic development after the insertion of ooplasm from oocytes of fertile donors into oocytes of patients who had experienced repeated implantation failure and poor embryo development. The ooplasmic transfer procedures were carried out in 33 selected couples suffering from infertility and repeated failure of implantation during several cycles of IVF. The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Saint Barnabas Medical Center in 1996. In the mid 1990s, IVF was moderately successful, but, in many instances, implantation failed even after transfer of multiple embryos. The relationship between oocyte aneuploidy and age has been described, but the incidence of aneuploidy in in-vitro derived embryos was still largely unknown (Lee et al, 2015, Munné et al, 1995). Because repeated failure of implantation in this group of patients was also associated with repeated poor embryonic development in vitro, it was hypothesized that the failure could be caused by cytoplasmic deficiency rather than nuclear/chromosome abnormalities.

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Abstract:

Experimental ooplasmic transplantation from donor to recipient oocyte took place between 1996 and 2001 at Saint Barnabas Medical Center, USA. Indication for 33 patients was repeated implantation failure. Thirteen couples had 17 babies. One patient delivered twins from mixed ooplasmic and donor egg embryos. A limited survey-based follow-up study on the children is reported: 12 out of 13 parents completed a questionnaire on pregnancy, birth, health, academic performance and disclosure. Parents of a quadruplet did not participate. Prenatal development and delivery were uneventful. School grades ranged from good to excellent. Children were of good health. Body mass index (BMI) was normal in 12 out of 13 children. One child had chronic migraine headaches, two mild asthma, three minor vision and three minor skin problems. One boy from a boy/girl twin was diagnosed with borderline pervasive developmental disorder - not otherwise specified at age 18 months, but with no later symptoms. One couple disclosed the use of egg donor to their child. One reported intention to disclose; six were undecided and four reported they would not disclose. This limited follow-up strategy presents a high risk of bias. Parents may not assent to standardized clinical analysis owing to lack of disclosure to their children.
Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

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