In vitro maturation of oocytes collected from unstimulated ovaries for oocyte donation

ObjectiveTo assess the role of immature oocyte collection from unstimulated ovaries as a potential source of oocyte donation.DesignProspective cohort study.SettingA tertiary, university-based, in vitro fertilization center.Patient(s)Twelve oocyte donors with ultrasound-only polycystic ovaries or polycystic ovary syndrome matched with 12 oocyte recipients.Intervention(s)Immature oocyte collection without any ovarian stimulation. In vitro maturation of the oocytes. Embryo transfer of the embryos.Main Outcome Measure(s)Immature oocyte collection, maturation, fertilization, and cleavage rates. Implantation, pregnancy, and live birth rates.Result(s)A mean of 12.8 ± 5.1 Germinal-vesicle oocytes were aspirated per collection. The in vitro maturation rate was 68.3% ± 18.4% with a mean of 8.7 ± 3.6 mature oocytes per collection. The mean fertilization rate was 73.3% ± 19.4%. Two to five embryos (median four) were transferred. Six recipients conceived, giving a 50% clinical pregnancy rate per cycle. The mean implantation rate per embryo was 18.2%. The live birth rate per cycle started was 30%.Conclusion(s)Collecting immature oocytes from unstimulated ovaries for the purpose of oocyte donation is a simple procedure that totally avoids ovarian stimulation. With appropriate selection of women with ultrasound-only polycystic ovaries or women with the polycystic ovary syndrome, the pregnancy rates of the recipients are comparable with those achieved through conventional IVF oocyte donor cycles.