No abstract

The results suggest that artificial shrinkage is a useful technique for vitrification of expanded blastocysts on EM grids.

the presence of a bi-refringent meiotic spindle in human oocytes by using the Polscope can predict a higher embryonic developmental competence. However, the relative position of the spindle within the oocyte doesn't appear to influence the developmental potential of embryos.

Although the GnRH agonist plus 1500 IU hCG luteal rescue protocol significantly decreases the risk of severe OHSS, this life threatening complication can still occur in high-risk patients. It would be prudent to avoid hCG luteal rescue and freeze all embryos for future transfer in such women particularly when there are ≥18 follicles with 10-14 mm diameters even with few larger follicles.

Only internal funding was used. There is no conflict of interest in relation to the study.

The data from the meta-analyses suggests that the effect on clinical outcome of gonadotrophin priming of IVM still needs to be studied. In order to improve the IVM programs, it is essential to define not only the clinical aspects but also the laboratory and embryological aspects.

Our results suggest that oocyte collection in IVM cycles should be performed when the DF is 14 mm diameter or less. Sibling immature oocytes may be affected detrimentally if a DF >14 mm is present at oocyte collection.

As cancer treatment outcomes improve, the number of women with cancer seeking fertility preservation increases. Currently, embryo/oocyte cryopreservation appears to provide the best fertility preservation option. However, patients may not have sufficient time to undergo ovarian stimulation prior to chemotherapy and/or the hormones used in ovarian stimulation are contraindicated for certain tumours. In-vitro maturation has been suggested as an effective treatment for these patients. This report presents three women aged 21, 30 and 40 years, without male partners, seeking fertility preservation prior to chemotherapy. They were first seen during the luteal phase of their menstrual cycle and were to undergo gonadotoxic treatment imminently. They underwent immature oocyte retrieval in the luteal phase and seven, five and seven immature oocytes were recovered, respectively. After in-vitro maturation, five, three and five metaphase II (MII) oocytes were vitrified. Two patients later underwent one and two more retrievals, respectively, in the follicular phase of the next cycle(s) and additional oocytes were cryopreserved. These results suggest that immature oocytes recovered in the luteal phase can successfully be matured in vitro; therefore, if there is not sufficient time for conventional follicular-phase oocyte retrieval in a stimulated/unstimulated cycle prior to chemotherapy, a retrieval in the luteal phase could be considered.