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Updated: Jan 31, 2026

Fertility Preservation in Patients with Severe Ovarian Dysfunction
Published on: March 25, 2021
Successful in vitro maturation for urgent fertility preservation despite hormonal contraception by continuous
Sabine Roesner1, Stephanie Hecht1, Ariane Germeyer1
1a Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Fertility Disorders , Ruprecht-Karls University of Heidelberg , Heidelberg , Germany.
Abstract:
We report a unique case of a rare utilization of IVM. This case shows the successful retrieval of immature oocytes followed by in vitro maturation (IVM) for fertility preservation in a patient undergoing chronic progestin contraception. A 24-year-old patient with anaplastic astrocytoma requiring chemotherapy with temozolomide for 12 cycles as soon as possible with wish for fertility preservation while using a long acting etonogestrel birth control implant presented in our unit for fertility preservation in May 2017. The currently used implant should be preserved for further contraception. As the ovaries presented with a high, pco-like, antral follicle count, IVM was offered; the patient agreed. A transvaginal follicular puncture in general anesthesia without any hormonal intervention and IVM of gained oocytes was performed. As the patient actually had no spouse, she decided to freeze unfertilized metaphase II stage oocytes (MII). Thirteen oocytes were obtained, eight of them could be matured and cryopreserved. IVM could be a possibility for fertility preservation in patients with polycystic ovaries when no time is available for stimulation for conventional in vitro fertilization. Even use of continuous progestin application for contraception is no obstacle.
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