Objective: To observe the effect of DMSO on mouse oocyte meiotic maturation. Results: In DMSO-treated oocytes, we observed abnormal MII oocytes that contained large polar bodies, including 2-cell-like MII oocytes, during in vitro maturation. Oocyte polarization did not occur, due to the absence of actin cap forma-tion and spindle migration. These features are among the primary causes of abnormal symmetric division;however, analysis of the mRNA expression levels of genes related to asymmetric division revealed no significant difference in the expression of these factors between the 3% DMSO-treated group and the control group. After each blasto-mere of the 2-cell-like MII stage oocytes was injected by one sperm head respectively, the oocytes still possessed the ability to extrude the second polar body from each blastomere and to begin cleavage. However, MII oocytes with large polar bodies developed to the blastocyst stage after intracytoplasmic sperm injection ( ICSI ) . Further-more, other permeable cryoprotectants, such as ethylene glycol and glycerol, also caused asymmetric division fail-ure. Conclusions:Permeable cryoprotectants, such as DMSO, ethylene glycol, and glycerol, affect asymmetric di-vision. DMSO disrupts cytokinesis completion by inhibiting cortical reorganization and polarization. Oocytes that undergo symmetric division maintain the ability to begin cleavage after ICSI.