Selective follicular reduction: what to do with the oocytes?

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Endocrinology
• Assisted Reproductive Technologies

Background:

• Selective follicular reduction is used to prevent OHSS and multiple pregnancies in stimulated cycles.
• Its utility in conjunction with IVF in non-IVF cycles is not well-established.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential benefits of retrieving oocytes for in vitro fertilization (IVF) during selective follicular reduction in cycles not intended for IVF.
• To evaluate IVF and cryopreservation outcomes in this specific context.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 13 cycles (13 women) undergoing selective follicular reduction.
• Oocyte retrieval followed by attempted fertilization, cryopreservation, and embryo transfer (ET).

Main Results:

• Three pregnancies (23%) occurred, primarily via intra-uterine insemination or timed coitus, not ET.
• Fertilization was achieved in 77% of cycles, with successful cryopreservation in 46%.
• Embryo transfer was performed in 23% of cycles, all with poor-quality embryos, resulting in no pregnancies.

Conclusions:

• The beneficial effect of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and cryopreservation during selective follicular reduction appears questionable.
• Low embryo quality and lack of pregnancy post-ET suggest limited value for this combined approach.