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Posted by on Jan 1, 2014 in Infertility | 0 comments

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In a nutshell

The present article reviewed clinical trials (published up to May 2013) that compared between standard in vitro fertilization (IVF) and IVF following in vitro maturation (IVM) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Some background

Conventional IVF involves the administration of medications that stimulate the development of eggs in a woman's ovaries, such as gonadotropins. In women with PCOS these drugs may trigger exaggerated response of the ovaries, involving the development of many follicles, retrieval of immature eggs (not ready for fertilization), and increased risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), a severe complication. 

Thus, these women might benefit from earlier retrieval of eggs followed by maturation of the eggs in the laboratory (in vitro maturation – IVM) as this would reduce the abovementioned risks. However, while successful fertilization, fetus development, and term pregnancies resulting from IVM eggs have been reported, concern has been expressed regarding the safety of the method with respect to the health of the children and the rate of birth defects.
 
In this review the authors sought for randomised clinical trials (RCTs) comparing the standard IVF technique to IVM followed by IVF.

Methods & findings

The authors collected data from various databases and sources for analysis. They found no RCTs with results to help assess the risks and benefits of IVM in infertile women with PCOS as compared to conventional IVF techniques. Thus, they were unable to make any recommendations, but they notify about three ongoing trials that have not yet reported results.

The bottom line

To this end there is no scientific evidence upon which to base any practical recommendations regarding IVM before IVF for women with PCOS, but note that there are three ongoing trials whose results are awaited. 

Published By :

Cochrane database of systematic reviews

Date :

Oct 08, 2013

Original Title :

In vitro maturation in subfertile women with polycystic ovarian syndrome undergoing assisted reproduction.

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