IVM of human immature oocytes for infertility treatment and fertility preservation

Abstract

BackgroundThousands of healthy babies are born from in vitro maturation (IVM) procedures, but the rate of efficiency differs with the source of immature oocytes obtained. Recently, there are different IVM protocols proposed for infertility treatment and fertility preservation.MethodsBased on the literature, the clinical application for IVM of immature oocytes was summarized.Main findings (Results)Immature oocytes may be retrieved from women after priming with or without the use of follicular stimulation hormone (FSH), human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) or a combination of both FSH and hCG. Successful pregnancy rates with IVM technology seem to be correlated with the number of immature oocytes obtained. With the source and culture course of immature oocytes, there are various IVM protocols. IVM of immature oocytes is profoundly affected by the culture conditions, but no breakthrough has been made by improving the IVM medium itself. Thus, the clinical application of IVM technology continues to evolve.ConclusionIVM technology is a useful technique for infertile women and fertility preservation. Mild stimulation IVF combined with IVM of immature oocytes is a viable alternative to the conventional stimulation IVF cycle treatment as it may prove to be an optimal first‐line treatment approach.

An update on the current indications for in vitro maturation

“…Oocyte developmental capacity is essential for successful fertilization and development [6]. The biological definition of oocyte maturation is reinitiating the first meiotic division to the metaphase-II stage, accompanied by cytoplasmic maturation, to successfully prepare the oocyte for fertilization and early embryonic development until the zygotic and embryonic genome activation [7 ▪ ]. IVM efficiency was initially low due to a limited understanding of physiological maturation pathways and suboptimal culture systems.…”

Oncofertility as an Essential Part of Comprehensive Cancer Treatment in Patients of Reproductive Age, Adolescents and Children

“…The live birth rate after IVM is around 38% [94]. However, according to Chian et al, it differs depending on the source of immature oocytes, the number of obtained oocytes and the type of IVM protocol [95].…”