In vitro maturation of oocytes collected from unstimulated ovaries for oocyte donation

Abstract

Objective: To assess the role of immature oocyte collection from unstimulated ovaries as a potential source of oocyte donation.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Setting: A tertiary, university-based, in vitro fertilization center.

Patient(s): Twelve oocyte donors with ultrasound-only polycystic ovaries or polycystic ovary syndrome matched with 12 oocyte recipients.

Intervention(s): Immature oocyte collection without any ovarian stimulation. In vitro maturation of the oocytes. Embryo transfer of the embryos.

Main outcome measure(s): Immature oocyte collection, maturation, fertilization, and cleavage rates. Implantation, pregnancy, and live birth rates.

Result(s): A mean of 12.8 +/- 5.1 Germinal-vesicle oocytes were aspirated per collection. The in vitro maturation rate was 68.3% +/- 18.4% with a mean of 8.7 +/- 3.6 mature oocytes per collection. The mean fertilization rate was 73.3% +/- 19.4%. Two to five embryos (median four) were transferred. Six recipients conceived, giving a 50% clinical pregnancy rate per cycle. The mean implantation rate per embryo was 18.2%. The live birth rate per cycle started was 30%.

Conclusion(s): Collecting immature oocytes from unstimulated ovaries for the purpose of oocyte donation is a simple procedure that totally avoids ovarian stimulation. With appropriate selection of women with ultrasound-only polycystic ovaries or women with the polycystic ovary syndrome, the pregnancy rates of the recipients are comparable with those achieved through conventional IVF oocyte donor cycles.