Safe and successful use of oocyte in-vitro maturation in two infertile women with multiple sclerosis

Abstract

There is evidence to support an impact of ovarian stimulation with gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogues on the progression or recurrence of multiple sclerosis. In addition, there is no universally acknowledged approach toward ovarian stimulation in patients with multiple sclerosis. This report describes two patients at a large tertiary university hospital who underwent an in-vitro maturation protocol in order to avoid a risk of exacerbating their multiple sclerosis by ovarian stimulation. Both patients were referred to the infertility clinic because of the concern of exacerbation of multiple sclerosis during or after ovarian stimulation treatment. The patients underwent the in-vitro maturation protocol to avoid ovarian stimulating agents. Both patients gave birth to healthy babies at term. They did not suffer any relapses of multiple sclerosis during their treatment or during pregnancy. Exacerbation of disease related to ovarian stimulation encourages the search for a safer approach to these patients. To the authors' knowledge, these are the first babies described in the literature who were born after in-vitro maturation to mothers suffering from multiple sclerosis. In-vitro maturation can thus be recommended as an alternative in suitable women with multiple sclerosis.