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Collection of Human Follicular Fluid, Follicle Somatic Cells, and Immature Oocytes from Individuals Undergoing In Vitro Fertilization
Published on: October 24, 2025
Recurrent genuine empty follicle syndrome.
Mp Smisha1, Kundavi Sankar, Betty Thomas
1Department of Reproductive Medicine and Women's Health, Madras Medical Mission, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
Journal of Human Reproductive Sciences
|February 21, 2012
Summary
Empty follicle syndrome (EFS) is the failure to retrieve oocytes despite normal ovarian stimulation, affecting 0.2-7% of in vitro fertilization cycles. While often due to errors, genuine EFS has no identifiable cause.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Endocrinology
- In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
Background:
- Ovarian stimulation is a key component of IVF to promote folliculogenesis and steroidogenesis.
- Failure to retrieve oocytes, termed empty follicle syndrome (EFS), occurs in a small percentage of IVF cycles.
- EFS presents a significant challenge in assisted reproductive technologies.
Observation:
- The study addresses the phenomenon of empty follicle syndrome (EFS).
- EFS is characterized by the absence of oocytes retrieved after successful ovarian stimulation and normal folliculogenesis and steroidogenesis.
- This condition is observed in approximately 0.2-7% of IVF cycles.
Findings:
- Empty follicle syndrome (EFS) is defined as the failure to aspirate oocytes post-ovarian stimulation in IVF.
- While often attributed to human or pharmacological errors, a subset of cases represents genuine EFS with unidentified etiology.
- The incidence of EFS ranges from 0.2% to 7% of cycles with confirmed normal folliculogenesis and steroidogenesis.
Implications:
- Understanding the causes of EFS, including genuine cases, is crucial for improving IVF success rates.
- Further research into genuine EFS may uncover novel diagnostic or therapeutic strategies.
- Addressing EFS can help optimize patient outcomes and reduce the emotional and financial burden of failed IVF cycles.
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