Advances in Infertility Treatment: Oocyte Cryopreservation and Comprehensive Chromosome Screening

Abstract

Since the birth of the first in vitro fertilization (IVF) baby in 1978,1 IVF has allowed many infertile couples and individuals to build families. Still, the likelihood of achieving a live birth with any single IVF cycle remains low (about 40% in women younger than 35 and only 4.5% in women older than 42).2 A study in the U.K. of repeated IVF cycles showed that cumulative live-birth rates continued to increase up to the ninth cycle, with >65% of women achieving a live birth by the sixth cycle (NEJM JW Womens Health Jan 2016 and JAMA 2015; 314:2654). However, the emotional and physical tolls associated with so many IVF cycles (as well as the improved pregnancy rates associated with intrauterine transfer of cryopreserved embryos3) make the success of multiple IVF cycles of historical interest. Now, two technologic advances — oocyte cryopreservation and preimplantation genetic testing with comprehensive chromosome screening — promise to augment IVF's utility in diverse circumstances. Oocyte Cryopreservation The large size and high water content of oocytes (as opposed to fertilized embryos) initially slowed the development of suitable techniques for their successful cryopreservation; however, the …