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Updated: Jul 13, 2026
12:03
Fertility Preservation in Patients with Severe Ovarian Dysfunction
Published on: March 25, 2021
Embryo freezing for preventing ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome
1Isis Fertility Centre, Charter Court, Newcomen Way, Severalls Business Park, Colchester, Essex, UK, CO4 9YA. ariannadangelo@yahoo.com
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|July 20, 2007
Summary
Cryopreservation (embryo freezing) and intravenous albumin infusion do not show significant differences in preventing ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). More evidence is needed to determine the best approach for OHSS prevention in IVF cycles.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Endocrinology
- In Vitro Fertilization
- Clinical Trials
Background:
- Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is a serious complication of excessive ovarian stimulation during in vitro fertilization (IVF).
- It is characterized by a shift of fluid into the third space, leading to intravascular depletion.
- The exact triggers for OHSS remain unclear, but vasoactive substances released under human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) stimulation are implicated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the effectiveness of cryopreservation (embryo freezing) versus intravenous human albumin infusion for OHSS prevention.
- To evaluate elective cryopreservation of all embryos against fresh embryo transfer for OHSS prevention.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) identified through extensive database searches up to April 2007.
- Included studies involved women undergoing IVF/ICSI cycles using GnRH-analogue downregulation.
- Data extraction and analysis followed Cochrane guidelines, comparing cryopreservation vs. albumin and elective cryopreservation vs. fresh transfer.
Main Results:
- Two studies met inclusion criteria: one comparing cryopreservation with albumin, and one comparing elective cryopreservation with fresh transfer.
- No significant differences were found between cryopreservation and albumin administration for any outcome.
- Similarly, no differences were observed between elective cryopreservation and fresh embryo transfer.
Conclusions:
- There is insufficient evidence to recommend routine cryopreservation for OHSS prevention.
- The relative merits of intravenous albumin versus cryopreservation for OHSS prevention require further investigation.
- More research is needed to establish optimal strategies for managing OHSS risk in assisted reproductive technology.
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