Outcome of 518 salvage oocyte-cryopreservation cycles performed as a routine procedure in an in vitro fertilization program.
OBJECTIVE
To document outcomes of oocyte cryopreservation performed as a routine procedure in an IVF program.


METHODS
Describing the rate of oocyte survival, embryo transfer (ET), implantation, and live births of IVF-intracytoplasmic sperm injection performed on thawed oocytes.


METHODS
Reproductive medicine center in Italy.


METHODS
Women (n = 696) who failed to conceive after IVF-intracytoplasmic sperm injection with fresh oocytes.


METHODS
Surplus oocytes obtained during a failed cycle with fresh oocytes were frozen and then were thawed, micromanipulated, and transferred in a later cycle.


METHODS
Rates of oocyte survival, ETs, implantation, and live births were calculated in the entire cohort and in patients aged <or=38 and >38 years.


RESULTS
There were 29 pregnancies, for a total implantation rate of 6.3% (95% CI: 4.3, 9.0) per 456 ET cycles. The clinical-pregnancy rate was 19 (4.2%; 95% CI: 2.6, 6.4) of 456 ET cycles, with a take-home-baby rate of 7 (1.5%; 95% CI: 0.7, 3.0) of 456 ET cycles.


CONCLUSIONS
Cryopreservation performed as a routine procedure for so-called salvaging of surplus oocytes is associated with poor implantation rates and with a probability of 1 live birth in 65 ET cycles.
La Sala
Giovanni B
GB
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
Nicoli
Alessia
A
Villani
Maria T
MT
Pescarini
Michela
M
Gallinelli
Andrea
A
Blickstein
Isaac
I
D000328:Adult; D002470:Cell Survival; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D050498:Live Birth / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009865:Oocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000637:transplantation*; D011247:Pregnancy; D016896:Treatment Outcome