The effect of in vitro maturation (IVM) protocol changes on measures of oocyte/embryo competence

Abstract

Purpose: In vitro maturation (IVM) continues its evolution as new ideas are introduced with the objective of making the IVM procedure easier and more effective. This study combines ideas believed likely to improve the IVM outcome or make the IVM oocyte identification process easier. Methods: A cohort of 45 women underwent an IVM cycle in which letrozole was used with the theoretical objective of improving the competence of small antral follicles, the oocyte aspiration technique was modified to minimize the time between oocyte aspiration and oocyte identification, and blastocysts were transferred during a subsequent cycle with controlled endometrial development. Results: Measures of oocyte competence used for these prospectively followed cycles were as follows: the maturation rate was 90.5%, the fertilization rate was 92.4%, the cleavage rate was 94.6%, the usable blastulation rate per zygote was 50.2%, and the implantation rate was 34.2%. In 7.9% of cycles initiated, there was a failure to produce blastocytes. Per transfer, the biochemical pregnancy rate was 63.2%, the clinical pregnancy rate was 55.3% and the ongoing/delivered pregnancy rate at the end of the first trimester was 47.4%. The miscarriage rate for clinical pregnancies in the first trimester was 14.3% and the ongoing twinning rate was 11.1%. Conclusion: Except for blastocyst production, the above modifications of IVM technology were suggestive of oocyte competence similar to conventional IVF. In particular, the clinically best blastocysts derived from IVM cycles appear to function as well as the best blastocysts derived from oocytes produced during a traditional IVF cycle. Ethics support: Baptist Health Institutional Review Board (IRB Number 18-49)