title: Immature oocyte in-vitro maturation: clinical aspects.
abstract: The development of immature oocyte collection techniques for in-vitro maturation (IVM), combined with novel culture techniques, opens new possibilities for assisted reproductive technology. Optimization of clinical management of IVM cycles will enhance pregnancy outcome, so that IVM might become an effective alternative assisted reproduction treatment for infertile patients irrespective of the cause of infertility. Parameters such as age and baseline antral follicular count are predictive of outcome and should be used as selection criteria for IVM treatment. Women with polycystic ovary disease and normo-ovulatory patients at risk of developing ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome might benefit from earlier retrieval of oocytes followed by IVM and embryo transfer. HCG priming before oocyte retrieval seems beneficial in terms of oocyte yield and maturational competence, and may increase the harvest of mature oocytes and lead to better endometrial synchronization with the developing embryo. The timing of aspiration may be crucial in IVM and selection criteria for follicle size at aspiration need defining prospectively for infertility type. Finer calibre aspiration needles and low aspiration pressure yield more oocytes. A combination of natural cycle IVF with IVM is a promising, mild and inexpensive assisted reproduction treatment, widely accessible the infertile population.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Reproductive Medicine, AZ-VUB, University Hospital, Dutch-Speaking Free University of Brussels, Laarbeeklaaan 101, 1090 Jette, Brussels, Belgium. Evangelos.Papanikolaou@vub.ac.be
authors.forename: E G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Papanikolaou
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Platteau
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Albano
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nogueira
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cortvrindt
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Devroey
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Smitz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle / Q000379:methods; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004717:Endometrium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D009865:Oocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000166:cytology*; D018579:Patient Selection; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000473:pathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted
chemical_list: D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone