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In vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes recovered from ovariectomy specimens in the laboratory: a promising “ex vivo” method of oocyte cryopreservation resulting in the first report of an ongoing pregnancy in Europe

  • Fertility Preservation
  • Published:
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

We present our center’s experience with 34 consecutive cases who underwent in vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes obtained from ovariectomy specimens and compare our data with updated literature data.

Methods

Feasibility and efficiency of oocyte collection during ovarian tissue processing was assessed by the recovery rate, maturation rate, and embryological development after IVM.

Results

On average, 14 immature oocytes were retrieved per patient during ovarian tissue processing in 33/34 patients. The overall maturation rate after IVM was 36 %. The maturation rate correlated with the age of the patient and the duration of IVM. Predominately, oocyte vitrification was performed. Eight couples preferred embryo cryopreservation. Here, a 65 % fertilization rate was obtained and at least one good-quality day 3 embryo was cryopreserved in 7/8 couples. The retrieval of oocytes ex vivo resulted in mature oocytes or embryos available for vitrification in 79 % of patients. One patient with ovarian insufficiency following therapeutic embolization of the left uterine and the right ovarian artery because of an arteriovenous malformation had an embryo transfer of one good-quality warmed embryo generated after IVM ex vivo, which resulted in an ongoing clinical pregnancy.

Conclusions

IVM of oocytes obtained ex vivo during the processing of ovarian cortex prior to cryopreservation is a procedure with emerging promise for patients at risk for fertility loss, as illustrated by the reported pregnancy. However, more data are needed in order to estimate the overall success rate and safety of this novel approach.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the oncofertility team of the UZ Brussels and also give special thanks to the colleagues of the IVF laboratory, nurses, and doctors at the CRG and operating theater of UZ Brussels.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Reproductive Medicine, UZ Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090, Brussels, Belgium

    Ingrid Segers, Ileana Mateizel, Ellen Van Moer, Herman Tournaye, Greta Verheyen & Michel De Vos

  2. Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry and Radioimmunology, Follicle Biology Unit (FOBI), UZ Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090, Brussels, Belgium

    Johan Smitz

Authors
  1. Ingrid Segers
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  2. Ileana Mateizel
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  3. Ellen Van Moer
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  4. Johan Smitz
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  5. Herman Tournaye
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  6. Greta Verheyen
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  7. Michel De Vos
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Correspondence to Ingrid Segers.

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Capsule

In vitro maturation of oocytes obtained during ovarian tissue processing for cryopreservation holds promise for patients in need of fertility preservation as illustrated here with acceptable maturation rates, the capacity to form good-quality embryos, and an ongoing clinical pregnancy.

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Segers, I., Mateizel, I., Van Moer, E. et al. In vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes recovered from ovariectomy specimens in the laboratory: a promising “ex vivo” method of oocyte cryopreservation resulting in the first report of an ongoing pregnancy in Europe. J Assist Reprod Genet 32, 1221–1231 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-015-0528-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-015-0528-9

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