Lessons learned from introducing an in-vitro maturation programme into clinical practice

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Medicine
• In-vitro maturation (IVM)
• Oocyte maturation

Background:

• In-vitro maturation (IVM) is a technique to mature immature oocytes (germinal vesicle stage) to metaphase II in vitro.
• Oocytes are retrieved from small antral follicles in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome or normally menstruating women.
• The process requires approximately 28-36 hours of in vitro maturation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current clinical data on in-vitro maturation (IVM).
• To describe the establishment of an IVM program and its outcomes.
• To assess the potential of IVM as a replacement for standard ovarian stimulation.

Main Methods:

• Immature oocyte retrieval from small antral follicles.
• In vitro maturation of oocytes for 28-36 hours.
• Fertilization using intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

Main Results:

• A high proportion of oocytes resume meiosis in vitro after precise patient selection and preparation.
• Approximately 300 healthy children have been born worldwide following IVM.
• The establishment of an IVM program resulted in the first IVM pregnancy in Germany.

Conclusions:

• In-vitro maturation (IVM) shows potential to replace standard ovarian stimulation.
• Further investigation into the safety and efficacy of IVM is required.
• IVM offers a viable option for oocyte maturation and assisted reproduction.