IVM. IN VITRO MATURATION OF OOCYTES

IVM. In Vitro maturation of oocytes

In Vitro maturation of oocytes (IVM) is an In Vitro Fertilization technique, which is based on the natural cycle of women, does not require a prior preparation nor does it require the use of medication or exogenous drugs (as is the case with other fertilization procedures) in order to stimulate the ovary. Special needles are used to retrieve immature eggs and then bring them to the laboratory where they are prepared for subsequent fertilization and transfer of obtained embryos. There have been about 300 births around the world in the last 5 years. This technology has been clinically used in humans as of a couple of years ago; Canada and China being the most successful countries in the development of these procedures.

The procedure is recommended for patients who can not be subjected to an ovarian stimulation, patients at risk of ovarian hyperstimulation, patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCO) under 45 years of age and who have repeatedly produced poor quality embryos or have had a low response level at the time of In Vitro fertilization.

The first Latin American practical IVM workshop for embryologists training (Colombia, Mexico, Bolivia, Venezuela and Panama) was held at the Punta Pacifica Reproductive Center. This took place in collaboration with the Colombian Fertility and Sterility with the participation of program director of In-Vitro Maturation of the Center for Reproduction of McGill in Canada, Dr. RI-Cheng Chiana.

The 3 patients who underwent treatment were between 25-30 years of age with polycystic ovaries, a condition which leads to sterility. This condition that affects between 4 and 12 per cent of women of childbearing ages.

A total of 68 oocytes were extracted from the 3 patients. After 24 hours, 37 became MII (mature ova), and the ICSI was performed immediately with their spouses’ semen. 48 hours 6 additional oocytes matured and were frozen through the vitrification technique.

The embryo transfer was carried out within 72 hours, blood test results were in after 12 days. 2 of the patients became pregnant and 1 was pregnant with twins.

This technique promises to be an alternative not only to patients with PCO, but patients with infertility caused by any number of reasons. One of the main advantages of this procedure is that it reduces the cost of In Vitro fertilization and ICSI (intracytoplasmic injection of sperm) by nearly 50%.