Question for Ghost

[LadyPenelope72]

Hi Ghost,

I first wanted to thank you for taking the time to answer all our questions. It is greatly appreciated.

My question is about egg quality. I just finished my first IVF which sadly failed. I had 14 mature eggs 11 fertilized through ICSI (we have slight male factor issues) and they transfered 2 on day three. They were able to freeze 9 others all 7-8 cells grade three. My clinic grades on a scale from 1-5. 5 is the best.

When I went in to my post appointment the Dr. told me my eggs were dark, grainy and dense. She said they didn't really know what this means. She said it could be an egg quality issue. I was wondering if you had heard of this? When I was looking on the internet it appeared that this wasn't a good sign. Have you heard of this and have you seen success with these kind of eggs? Am I getting myself worked up for nothing?

We are supposed to proceed to a FET after my next period. Do you have any suggestions?

Thanks LadyP

P.S. I just wanted to mention I have a 5 year old daughter conceived naturally after 2 years infertility.

[Ghost]

I asked an embryologist today what it means to have "dark, dense, and grainy" oocytes. She said it sounded like bad eggs.

But your embryologist is on the spot, looking at your eggs and embryos, so that's the assessment to go by. On top of that, they fertilized and developed, so they seem to be okay. With 9 frozen, you seem to be in excellent shape.

We can't assume every failure is an embryo problem.

[LadyPenelope72]

Thank you ghost for your prompt reply. I really appreciate you taking the time to ask an embryologist this for me. My Dr. did tell me that they were pleased with the fertilization rate and that my embryos were all of good quality. She said normally they would have a couple good ones and a lot that didn't look so good.

I am hoping that the FET will work. I guess if they don't I will wait and see what happens with my eggs during the next stimulation. Maybe they will change my protocol and that will be the ticket to normal looking eggs.

I kind of have to believe that my eggs aren't intrinsically bad bacause I do have a child conceived naturally. She would surely be a miracle if I had bad eggs since my husband has male factor issues (high percentage of abnormal morphology and low motility).

Again thank you for your time and generosity. You sure set a lot of our minds at ease and it is greatly appreciated.