In vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection pregnancies after successful transport of oocytes by airplane.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To determine the feasibility of a transport IVF program involving air transportation of oocytes. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Regional hospital (Hôpital de Chicoutimi) and University Infertility Center (McGill Reproductive Center, Montreal). PATIENT(S) The first series of patients referred for IVF or IVF and ICSI, for a variety of indications, who opted for inclusion in the transport IVF program. INTERVENTION(S) The IVF-ET with ovarian stimulation and oocyte collection at the peripheral unit and transport of the oocytes by airplane to the McGill Reproductive Center where IVF or ICSI was performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Clinical pregnancy. RESULT(S) Seven couples, in the first series, underwent nine cycles of transport IVF treatment. Two also underwent ICSI. There were two clinical pregnancies. CONCLUSION(S) Transport IVF using air travel is possible and opens the possibility for this type of program to be implemented in large countries with scattered populations, such as the United States, Canada, and Australia.