Combining ovarian tissue cryobanking with retrieval of immature oocytes followed by in vitro maturation and vitrification: an additional strategy of fertility preservation

Abstract

Objective: To report an additional strategy of fertility preservation, which combines ovarian tissue cryobanking with retrieval of immature oocytes from excised ovarian tissue, followed by in vitro maturation (IVM) and vitrification.

Design: Retrospective analysis of case series.

Setting: University teaching hospital.

Patient(s): Women who underwent oophorectomy or ovarian wedge resection before receiving chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy.

Intervention(s): Immature oocyte retrieval, IVM, oocyte vitrification, ovarian tissue cryobanking.

Main outcome measure(s): Oocytes retrieved from the excised ovarian tissue, oocyte maturation rate, and number of oocytes cryopreserved by vitrification.

Result(s): Four consecutive patients underwent retrieval of immature oocytes from the antral follicles of the excised ovarian tissue. The mean number of immature oocytes recovered was three (1, 3, 4, and 3, respectively). The mean maturation rate following IVM was 79% (100%, 100%, 50%, and 67%, respectively). In total, eight mature oocytes were vitrified.

Conclusion(s): Oocytes can be retrieved from excised ovarian tissue, matured in vitro, and cryopreserved by vitrification. This fertility preservation technique could be combined with ovarian tissue cryobanking.