Comparison of luteal phase and follicular phase in-vitro maturation in women with oocyte maturation abnormalities

Abstract

Research Question: Are there differences in immature oocyte retrieval following luteal phase in vitro maturation (IVM) compared to follicular phase IVM in women with oocyte maturation abnormalities (OMAs)?Design: From January 2019 to May 2023, a retrospective cohort study at a private IVF center included 32 women with 53 IVM cycles in Group 1 (follicular phase) and 19 women with 32 IVM cycles in Group 2 (luteal phase). Additionally, nine women had both follicular and luteal phase IVM cycles for intracycle variability analysis.Result(s): The groups had no differences in oocyte maturation stages at collection (p>0.05). The Group 1 and Group 2 exhibited comparable median MII oocyte rates per patient after 48 hours after the collection (40.0%, IQR: 0.0-66.7% vs. 22.5%, IQR: 0.0-52.9%) (p>0.05). The median fertilization rate in Group 1 (66.7%, IQR: 50.0-66.7%) was found to be comparable to that in the Group 2 (66.7%, IQR: 50.0-66.7%) (p>0.05). There were no significant differences between the groups in the yielded embryo's grades and pregnancy rates (p>0.05). Comparing follicular and luteal phase IVM within the same menstrual cycle in nine patients, no differences were observed in oocyte maturation rates (p>0.05).Conclusion(s): This study indicates that there are no significant differences in oocyte maturation, fertilization rates, embryo quality, or pregnancy outcomes between luteal phase and follicular phase IVM in women with OMAs. These findings suggest that luteal phase IVM can be used similarly to follicular phase IVM, offering a potential avenue to enhance embryo yield for women with OMAs.