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Updated: Aug 18, 2026
OP-IVM: Combining In vitro Maturation after Oocyte Retrieval with Gynecological Surgery
Published on: May 9, 2021
Assisting in vitro fertilization by manipulating cumulus-oocyte-complexes either mechanically or enzymatically does
Thomas Ebner1, Marianne Moser1, Omar Shebl1
1Landes- Frauen- Und Kinderklinik, Kinderwunsch Zentrum, Linz, Austria.
Objective:
This prospective study was set up in order to analyze whether additional treatment (cutting off supernumerous cumulus cells; adding hyaluronidase) of the cumulus-oocyte-complex (COC) would help to improve treatment outcome.
Material And Methods:
COCs from 50 patients were prospectively subdivided into a control group A (no manipulation of COC) and two study groups. In group B, surplus cumulus cells were cut off using syringes, and in the second study group COCs were incubated with a 1:11 dilution of hyaluronidase (final concentration 7 IU/l). Main outcome measures were fertilization rate, embryo development, as well as rates of implantation, pregnancy, and live birth.
Results:
Fertilization was higher in group C as compared to the untreated control group A (p<0.05). However, complete fertilization failure could not be avoided by any of the modified IVF approaches. Compaction on day 4 and blastocyst quality on day 5 were significantly improved in group C as compared to group B (but not to group A). Rates of implantation, pregnancy, and live birth were not affected by any of the methods.
Conclusion:
ICSI seems to be the only choice for avoiding the vast majority of fertilization failures after IVF.
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