New national outcome data on fresh versus cryopreserved donor oocytes

Vitaly A Kushnir,David H Barad,Norbert Gleicher,Sarah K Darmon

doi:10.1186/s13048-017-0378-4

Abstract

BackgroundImprovements in oocyte cryopreservation techniques and establishment of cryopreserved donor oocyte banks have led to improved access to and lower cost of donor oocytes, upending the traditional practice of fresh oocyte donation. The objective of this study was to examine national trends in utilization and live birth rates with fresh versus cryopreserved donor oocytes.MethodsA retrospective analysis of 2013 through 2015 aggregate U.S. national data reported by the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology which included 30,160 IVF cycles with either fresh or cryopreserved donor oocytes was performed.ResultsDuring the study period utilization of fresh oocyte donations rapidly declined by 32.9%, while cryopreserved oocyte donation increased by 44.4%. Fresh donor oocytes produced significantly higher live birth rates per recipient cycle start than cryopreserved donor oocytes (51.1% vs. 39.7%). Over the three-year study period fresh donor oocytes produced stable live birth rates per recipient cycle start while those with cryopreserved oocytes significantly declined year-by-year.ConclusionDespite rising popularity of cryopreserved donor oocytes, prospective patients should be counselled that fresh donor oocytes still represent standard of care due to higher live birth rates.

Highlights

Improvements in oocyte cryopreservation techniques and establishment of cryopreserved donor oocyte banks have led to improved access to and lower cost of donor oocytes, upending the traditional practice of fresh oocyte donation
Improved survival of human oocytes following cryopreservation via the vitrification technique prompted a change in the position of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) on the experimental nature of oocyte cryopreservation in 2013 [1]
Though ASRM recommended against routine donor oocyte banking until more robust clinical data on safety and efficacy of cryopreserved donor oocytes were generated, multiple commercial cryopreserved oocyte donor banks were concurrently established in the U.S Based on 2013 U.S national data, we previously reported that live birth rates for recipients of donated cryopreserved oocytes were lower than those of fresh oocytes [2]

Summary

Introduction

Improvements in oocyte cryopreservation techniques and establishment of cryopreserved donor oocyte banks have led to improved access to and lower cost of donor oocytes, upending the traditional practice of fresh oocyte donation. Though ASRM recommended against routine donor oocyte banking until more robust clinical data on safety and efficacy of cryopreserved donor oocytes were generated, multiple commercial cryopreserved oocyte donor banks were concurrently established in the U.S Based on 2013 U.S national data, we previously reported that live birth rates for recipients of donated cryopreserved oocytes were lower than those of fresh oocytes [2]. This conclusion was questioned by colleagues who argued that, as fertility centers gain expertise with oocyte

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