Is In Vitro Maturation (IVM) Still Relevant for an OHSS-Free Clinic?
摘要
In vitro maturation (IVM) was suggested as an assisted reproductive technology (ART) in the past century, which also witnessed the first successful pregnancy conceived with this technology. IVM is based on the retrieval of unstimulated, or shortly stimulated, potentially hCG-primed, immature oocytes from antral follicles. Immature oocytes are then matured in vitro using a special culture system. Embryos can be transferred “fresh,” if the endometrium is adequately developed, or a “freeze-all” approach is used, followed by conventional frozen embryo transfer (FET) protocol. In the context of OHSS, “pure” IVM does not result in corpora lutea (CL) formation, in contrast to conventional IVF ovarian stimulation. Therefore, OHSS is totally eliminated. If some FSH priming and hCG triggering are applied, clinical judgement can estimate the OHSS risk. Although suggested many years ago, and not regarded as “experimental,” IVM did not gain global acceptance and utilization. The successful use of GnRH agonist triggering, in the context of OHSS prevention, reduced the interest in IVM in that respect. In addition, the optimal in vitro lab protocol is still not established to allow worldwide adoption of IVM, in spite of its obvious advantage in terms of treatment cost and safety.