Retrospective analysis of reproductive outcomes in women with primary ovarian insufficiency showing intermittent follicular development

The aim of this retrospective study was to explore the reproductive outcomes of IVF treatment in women with primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) showing intermittent follicular development. A total of 44 POI women with normal karyotype and absent autoimmunity, attending the centre for fertility treatment at Nanfang Hospital, Guangzhou from March 2009 to March 2011, were identified as suitable for inclusion in this study. Out of 44 women, 20 (20/44; 45.5%) had growing follicles and 13 underwent 27 oocyte retrievals. The empty follicle rate per oocyte retrieval was 70.4% (19/27); eight oocytes were recovered: one (12.5%) germinal vesicle (GV), two (25.0%) metaphase I (MI), one (12.5%) metaphase II (MII), and four (50.0%) atretic. One MI oocyte matured in vitro and two women had embryo transfer. Only the woman with the MI oocyte matured in vitro conceived, giving birth to a healthy baby at term. These results suggest that intermittent follicular development is common in women with POI but most of the developed follicles are empty or contain atretic oocytes. The pregnancy rate remains very low for IVF treatment.