The status of oocyte cryopreservation in the United States

Abstract

Objective: To determine the current status of oocyte cryopreservation across the United States, and the perceived indications for its use.

Design: Cross-sectional survey of all IVF Centers in the United States.

Setting: Telephone and fax based survey of all IVF practice or laboratory directors, conducted March to June of 2009.

Patient(s): None.

Intervention(s): None.

Main outcome measure(s): Prevalence of oocyte cryopreservation, acceptable indications and age groups, number of oocyte cryopreservation cycles performed and thawed, fertilization and pregnancy rates, number of live births.

Result(s): Of 442 centers contacted, 282 (64%) responded in 49 states. In these centers 143 (51%) programs currently offer oocyte cryopreservation, with a geographic trend toward the western-located clinics. Of all programs, 36% offer oocyte cryopreservation only for cancer patients or as an alternative to embryo cryopreservation after IVF, whereas 64% of programs offer it electively in women of advancing maternal age. For elective indications, 87% of programs accept patients aged 35-37 years, 49% consider age 38-40 years as acceptable, whereas only 26% of programs cryopreserve oocytes beyond age 40 years. Three hundred thirty-seven live births resulting from 857 thawed cycles (39.3% pregnancy rate [PR]) were reported across all centers.

Conclusion(s): Oocyte cryopreservation is offered in more than 50% of ART clinics in the United States. Most programs that perform oocyte cryopreservation for cancer indications offer it for elective delay of childbearing as well. These data suggest a growing acceptance for this technology within our field.