Estrogen-suppressed in vitro maturation: a novel approach to in vitro maturation

ObjectiveTo evaluate the laboratory and clinical outcomes of estrogen-suppressed in vitro maturation (ES-IVM), a novel IVM protocol that eliminates the need for FSH stimulation and cycle monitoring.DesignCase series.SettingAcademic infertility center.Patient(s)Eighteen infertile couples undergoing ES-IVM (n = 20). Eligible candidates included women ≤38 years old with either polycystic ovarian syndrome, antral follicle count ≥15, and/or history of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.Intervention(s)ES-IVM.Main Outcomes Measure(s)Oocyte yield, maturation, fertilization, embryo quality, implantation, clinical pregnancy, and live-birth rate were analyzed.Result(s)The average number of oocytes retrieved was 16.7 ± 5.9, with a 52.1% maturation rate and a 58% fertilization rate by intracytoplasmic sperm injection. The average number of embryos transferred was 2.85 ± 0.6. The implantation rate was 17.5%, the clinical pregnancy rate was 40%, and the live-birth rate was 40%.Conclusion(s)The efficiency of ES-IVM appears to be similar to natural cycle and low-stimulation IVM protocols with respect to laboratory and clinical outcomes, while eliminating the need for FSH stimulation and cycle monitoring.