Outcomes of immature oocytes collected from ovarian tissue for cryopreservation in adult and prepubertal patients.

ABSTRACT

The efficiency of oocyte in-vitro maturation (IVM) and vitrification procedures after ex-vivo collection from ovarian tissue were assessed according to patient age, number of retrieved oocytes and tissue transport conditions. The combined procedure was performed in 136 patients 130 adults (mean 27.6 ± 5.6 years) and six prepubertal girls (mean 8.7 ± 2.3 years). A higher mean number of oocytes were collected in girls compared with adults (11.5 ± 8.0 versus 3.8 ± 4.2, respectively, P < 0.001) but the percentage of degenerated oocytes was significantly higher in girls (35.5% versus 17.1%, respectively, P < 0.001). IVM rates were significantly lower in prepubertal than postpubertal population (10.3% versus 28.1%, P = 0.002). In adults, a negative correlation was observed between number of retrieved oocytes and age (P = 0.002; r = -0.271); the correlation was positive between anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and number of collected oocytes (P = 0.002; r = 0.264). IVM rates were not correlated with AMH levels (r = 0.06) or age (r = -0.033). At present, nine oocytes and one embryo have been warmed in four patients and one biochemical pregnancy obtained. This suggests the combined procedure could be an additional option for fertility preservation.