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. 2022 Nov 21;14(22):5718.
doi: 10.3390/cancers14225718.

Oocyte Quality Assessment in Breast Cancer: Implications for Fertility Preservation

Cristina Fabiani  1 , Antonella Guarino  1 , Caterina Meneghini  1 , Emanuele Licata  1 , Gemma Paciotti  1 , Donatella Miriello  1 , Michele Carlo Schiavi  2 , Vincenzo Spina  3 , Roberta Corno  1 , Mariagrazia Gallo  1 , Rocco Rago  1
Affiliations

Oocyte Quality Assessment in Breast Cancer: Implications for Fertility Preservation

Cristina Fabiani et al. Cancers (Basel). .

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of breast cancer on the ovarian response and on oocyte quality following controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH).

Methods: This retrospective case-control study evaluated the effects of breast cancer on the ovarian response and on the oocyte quality. Oncological patients with breast cancer undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation cycles for fertility preservation, and age- and date-matched controls undergoing COH for in vitro fertilization (IVF) for male or tubal factor infertility were included in the study. Two hundred and ninety-four women were enrolled: 105 affected by breast cancer and 189 healthy women in the control group. Both groups were comparable in terms of age, BMI, and AMH value. Maximal estradiol levels on the triggering day, duration of stimulation, total amount of gonadotropins administered, number of oocytes retrieved, rate of metaphase 2 oocyte production, and numbers of immature and dysmorphic oocytes were analyzed.

Results: Considering factors influencing the oocyte quality, such as age, BMI, AMH, duration of stimulation, E2 level on the triggering day, total FSH cumulative dose, stage, histotype, BRCA status, and hormone receptors, the univariate and multivariate analyses identified breast cancer as a risk factor for the presence of dysmorphic oocytes.

Conclusions: The diagnosis of breast cancer does not seem to be associated with the impairment of the ovarian reserve, but is linked to a worsening oocyte quality.

Keywords: breast cancer; controlled ovarian hyperstimulation; fertility preservation; oocytes quality.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Details of dysmorphic oocytes: (A) cytoplasmic dimorphism with a burned-look alteration and (B) large perivitelline space with granules. Oocytes showed fragmented cytoplasm ((A): 200×; (B) 400×).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Comparison between a denuded MII oocyte (A) and a dysmorphic oocyte (B). 400× magnification. (A): Intact polar body in the perivitelline space (red arrow) and normal homogeneous cytoplasm. (B): Fragmented polar body (red arrow) and enlarged perivitelline space with granules (blue arrows); granular cytoplasm.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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