The effect of temperature fluctuations on the cytoskeletal organisation and chromosomal constitution of the human oocyte

The effect of temperature fluctuation on spindle integrity and chromosomal organisation in the human oocyte, and the consequences of such effects on the chromosomal constitution of resulting parthenotes, were investigated. A total of 340 oocytes were stained immunocytochemically with an antibody to alpha-tubulin, and 502 were activated parthenogenetically. Exposure of oocytes to room temperature for 2, 10 or 30 min caused disruption of the spindle in 77% (n = 26), 72% (n = 18) and 89% (n = 19) of cases respectively, with evidence of chromosomal dispersal in 50%, 56% and 52.6% respectively. These effects were reversed when oocytes were returned to 37 degrees C after exposure to room temperature for 2 min, but not after 10 min or 30 min. Temperature reduction affected rates of parthenogenetic activation of oocytes (2 min: 67%, n = 27; 10 min: 68%, n = 28; 30 min: 54%, n = 35) and cleavage of resulting parthenotes, but only if oocytes were exposed to room temperature for 30 min (30 min: 53%, n = 19). There is a direct association between temperature-induced spindle damage in the oocyte (70%, 50 of 63) and chromosomal abnormalities in parthenotes developed from oocytes exposed to room temperature (56%, 23 of 41; p < 0.01).