Egg Shape

I have just had my eggs collected and 4 have fertilised out of 7. However, I've been told that 2 of the fertilised eggs are slightly oval in shape - what is the significance of this and does this mean that they have less chance of developing?

Our Expert's Answer

This information was published 9 years, 5 months ago and was correct at the time of publication. It may not reflect our current practices or regulations.

Please note that all the answers we give are on a generic basis only, as we cannot provide more in-depth answers without access to your medical history. If you need a more detailed response, tailored to you, we would recommend a consultation with one of our Fertility Specialists for more comprehensive medical advice.

The usual shape of a human egg is round however it is quite common for eggs to have an oval shape. Researchers opinions differ as to the significance of unusual oocyte morphology. Some found it does affect the chance of success whereas other groups have reported no difference. We have had live births from oval eggs at Manchester Fertility.