[Oocytes in-vitro maturation--a new technique for reproductive endocrinologist practitioners]

In vitro maturation is a new and promising technique in the field of artificial reproductive technology. This method provides an alternative treatment to the known treatments and a solution for one of the most common and disturbing problems of infertility treatment, the hyperstimulation syndrome. The method is particularly useful in cases of patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome. The physiological process of oocyte maturation requires maturation of the nucleus and maturation of the oocyte cytoplasm. In the process of in vitro maturation of the oocyte, oocytes in their late stages of maturation are aspirated from the follicles and transferred to specific culture conditions to achieve complete maturation. The process of oocyte retrieval from small and undeveloped follicles needs proper equipment and experience. Therefore, this process requires deep understanding of the physiological process of oocyte and follicles growth and maturation, proper equipment and especially good experienced laboratory support. This review aims to describe the physiological basis for the process, the recommended protocols and to report the experience published so far on success rates and treatment safety, both maternal and fetal.