Abstract
BackgroundThe value of oocyte cryopreservation in older women remains controversial. The aim of this study was to report the oocyte freezing experience in women aged 40 and older at a single fertility center.FindingsOne hundred fifty eight women (mean age 43.9 ± 0.2) who underwent minimal ovarian stimulation IVF were enrolled. IVF protocol included the use of clomiphene citrate (50 mg/day) or letrozole (2.5 mg/day) with or without low dose gonadotropins (started at 75 IU/day and increased as needed to 150 IU/day). 584 retrieved oocytes (2.1 ± 0.15 per patient) yielded 532 mature MII oocytes that were frozen. After thawing and fertilization by ICSI, a total of 344 embryos (1.9 ± 0.1 per patient) were formed. A total of 57 relatively good embryos were transferred and yielded three live births (5.3 % per embryo transfer), three spontaneous abortions, and one chemical pregnancy.ConclusionsThese data are important in counseling older women who desire autologous oocyte freezing.
Highlights
Oocyte cryopreservation has wide clinical implications especially for women who have no partner or stand to lose ovarian function due to aging [1]
In January 2013, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine declared that the technique of oocyte cryopreservation is no longer experimental [2]
There is good evidence that fertilization and pregnancy rates are similar to IVF/ICSI with fresh oocytes when vitrified/warmed oocytes are used as part of IVF/ICSI
Summary
Oocyte cryopreservation has wide clinical implications especially for women who have no partner or stand to lose ovarian function due to aging [1]. No increase in chromosomal abnormalities, birth defects, and developmental deficits has been reported in the offspring born from cryopreserved oocytes when compared to pregnancies from conventional IVF/ICSI and the general population. Most data in women suggest that post-thaw survival rates of vitrified oocytes are much higher than oocytes that underwent slow-freeze [3, 4]. Embryo cryopreservation and oocyte cryopreservation in young women are well-established techniques among IVF centers [6]. Data pertaining to autologous oocyte cryopreservation by vitrification in older women, especially those older than 40, remain scarce. The aim of this study was to report the oocyte freezing experience in women aged 40 and older at a single fertility center. Conclusions: These data are important in counseling older women who desire autologous oocyte freezing
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