You can now view Prof Dr Michel De Vos’s presentation ‘IVM of Oocytes in Women with PCOS from a Clinician’s Perspective’ on the Cook Medical YouTube channel.
The presentation was recorded as part of a Cook Medical educational symposium at the Asia Pacific Initiative on Reproduction (ASPIRE) 2014 in Brisbane, Australia. A full list of referenced work appears at the end of the video.
What is IVM?
IVM is the retrieval of an immature egg with little or no hormonal stimulation of the ovaries. The egg is then cultured for 24-48 hours to reach maturation. In contrast, conventional IVF begins with hormonal stimulation treatment, during which the patient receives large amounts of hormones for several weeks before the eggs are collected in a matured state. Otherwise, IVM is essentially the same as a standard IVF procedure.
One major potential benefit for the patient is the reduced risk of severe fluid retention caused by oocyte stimulation, which is often experienced by patients during standard IVF cycles. This reduction could positively impact the quality of a patient’s daily life during treatment.
IVM and PCOS
IVM is considered to be most beneficial in the treatment of patients who suffer from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). PCOS is caused by an imbalance of hormones and is characterised by the growth of numerous cysts in the ovary. Women with PCOS are often very sensitive to the hormones used in IVF, which can increase the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). As a consequence, IVM is considered to be a suitable treatment for patients with PCOS, as it does not involve significant hormonal stimulation.
Disclosure: Dr. De Vos received an honorarium from Cook Medical for this lecture.