GHOST - any thoughts...

[albany07]

Well, here's the short version to a very long story... I will be starting stims on Sat. for IVF #3.
IVF #1, 4/09 - 8 retrieved, 3 mature, 1 fertilized with ICSI (DH poor morphology and count 10 mil). Beta 2 - BFN

IVF #2, 8/09- 12 retrieved, 11 fractured, 1 had no signs of fertilization the next day, but got a call on day 3 to come in to transfer 8 cell very good quality embryo. Beta 10 - BFN

All cycles done at same center. If BFN this time, husband and I are moving on and will be looking for another center. Our dr. does not seem to have very many answers and can't explain why all our eggs were fractured in IVF #2. Have you ever heard of this??? My husband and I can't help but think someone crushed them or something and it's very hard to find ANY literature on the subject.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[bey1214]

Albany07- I think possibly the word you may be looking for is "fragmenting" - which means the embryo has fragments and is not dividing correctly - poor egg quality could be caused by age and many other factors... I just thought I would try to help .. good Luck !!!!
a good website to check out is advancedfertility.com... they show great pictures !!!

[albany07]

Unfortunately they were fractured. If they were fragmented, I could at least wrap my brain around that one. There is plenty of literature out there on fragmentation.
I guess fracture occurs when suction pressures are higher than prescribed or with an elevated E2 >5000 (which I did not have). Hoping for better luck this time.

[to_have_fun08]

never heard of "fractured". Learn something new everyday. Would be interested to see what Ghost has to say. Good Luck on your next cycle.

[Sangria]

I think I remember reading that ICSI can fracture eggs.

[albany07]

Thanks for that response! I guess it's a good think that we opted to get my dh's vericocelectomy (he is now at 50 million from 10 million). Therefore, we are going the non-ICSI route this time. Fingers crossed, maybe that will do it!!!!

[Ghost]

I don't know what causes zona fracturing.

I tend to doubt the clinic "crushed" them or otherwise damaged them physically. Advanced Fertility is a good clinic.

[albany07]

Thank you for your response. For anyone who may be interested, I found another reason - over maturation of the oocyte.

[Lucienne]

Hi,

I would first of all check if the second IVF procedure was tackled in the same way as the firs tone or if any alterations to correct anything which might have failed during the fiirst IVF were intorduced. Then ask if ICSI was performed or not.

In my opinion to have 12 good eggs retrieved and have 11 damadged during an ICSI procedure (if this was the case), would be a big fat warning sign to change clinic as I would be seriously doubting the capability of the person performing the procedure.


Regards,
Lucienne

[Ghost]

Thank you for your response. For anyone who may be interested, I found another reason - over maturation of the oocyte.

I've seen that claim. I'm skeptical.