OBJECTIVE: To assess the role of immature oocyte collection from unstimulated ovaries as a potential source of oocyte donation. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: A tertiary, university-based, in vitro fertilization center. PATIENT(S): Twelve oocyte donors with ultrasound-only polycystic ovaries or polycystic ovary syndrome matched with 12 oocyte recipients. INTERVENTION(S): Immature oocyte collection without any ovarian stimulation. In vitro maturation of the oocytes. Embryo transfer of the embryos. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Immature oocyte collection, maturation, fertilization, and cleavage rates. Implantation, pregnancy, and live birth rates. RESULT(S): A mean of 12.8 +/- 5.1 Germinal-vesicle oocytes were aspirated per collection. The in vitro maturation rate was 68.3% +/- 18.4% with a mean of 8.7 +/- 3.6 mature oocytes per collection. The mean fertilization rate was 73.3% +/- 19.4%. Two to five embryos (median four) were transferred. Six recipients conceived, giving a 50% clinical pregnancy rate per cycle. The mean implantation rate per embryo was 18.2%. The live birth rate per cycle started was 30%. CONCLUSION(S): Collecting immature oocytes from unstimulated ovaries for the purpose of oocyte donation is a simple procedure that totally avoids ovarian stimulation. With appropriate selection of women with ultrasound-only polycystic ovaries or women with the polycystic ovary syndrome, the pregnancy rates of the recipients are comparable with those achieved through conventional IVF oocyte donor cycles.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the role of immature oocyte collection from unstimulated ovaries as a potential source of oocyte donation. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: A tertiary, university-based, in vitro fertilization center. PATIENT(S): Twelve oocyte donors with ultrasound-only polycystic ovaries or polycystic ovary syndrome matched with 12 oocyte recipients. INTERVENTION(S): Immature oocyte collection without any ovarian stimulation. In vitro maturation of the oocytes. Embryo transfer of the embryos. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Immature oocyte collection, maturation, fertilization, and cleavage rates. Implantation, pregnancy, and live birth rates. RESULT(S): A mean of 12.8 +/- 5.1 Germinal-vesicle oocytes were aspirated per collection. The in vitro maturation rate was 68.3% +/- 18.4% with a mean of 8.7 +/- 3.6 mature oocytes per collection. The mean fertilization rate was 73.3% +/- 19.4%. Two to five embryos (median four) were transferred. Six recipients conceived, giving a 50% clinical pregnancy rate per cycle. The mean implantation rate per embryo was 18.2%. The live birth rate per cycle started was 30%. CONCLUSION(S): Collecting immature oocytes from unstimulated ovaries for the purpose of oocyte donation is a simple procedure that totally avoids ovarian stimulation. With appropriate selection of women with ultrasound-only polycystic ovaries or women with the polycystic ovary syndrome, the pregnancy rates of the recipients are comparable with those achieved through conventional IVF oocyte donor cycles.