Fertility Treatment With In Vitro Maturation(IVM)

How Does IVM Work?

In this method, the ovaries are only slightly stimulated with fertility medications in order to produce eggs. IVM then arrests the eggs when they are still immature. These eggs are left to mature in the lab for almost 24 to 48 hours with the use of culture medium which contains small number of hormones.

Once it matures, eggs are then fertilized using Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) where a very tiny needle containing one sperm is injected into the egg. This results in embryos which are then transferred to the uterus.

[Read : What is Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection?]

What Are the Differences Between the Old and New IVM Procedures?

There is only one differing aspect between the old and new IVM procedure. In the new method, the eggs are matured in a cell culture (Protein dimer) called Cumulin while the old method uses hormones to mature the eggs. The eggs produced in the old method were not so healthy while the new method produces 50% more healthier mature eggs.

How Does IVM Differ From IVF?

IVF requires the women to undertake multiple hormonal injections during the retrieval of eggs in order to encourage maturation in the ovaries. But in IVM the eggs are matured only after retrieval in which case hormone injections are unnecessary.

IVF requires the women to undergo hormone injections, three ultrasounds and five blood tests within a period of one month whereas IVM requires only a couple blood tests and transvaginal ultrasound within a week’s time.

After retrieval and maturation of eggs, IVF and IVM follow a very similar process of either mixing the eggs and sperm in a dish or using ICSI to manually fertilize the eggs.

What Are the Steps Involved With IVM?

Following are the six steps involved with In Vitro Maturation process:

Step 1

The initial screening is done with ultrasounds and a blood test to help determine the best time to retrieve the eggs. Patient may be asked to take a small dose of hormones prior to the screening in the form of pill or suppository.

Step 2

Once the right time is determined, eggs are retrieved with slight to zero ovarian stimulation through a minor surgical method. Medication will be provided to reduce any potential discomfort.

Step 3

These eggs are placed in a cell culture and stimulated with cumulin until they attain maturity. This stage takes about 24-48 hours.

Step 4

Most of the time, ICSI is used to manually fertilize the eggs.

Step 5

After the eggs are fertilized and begin to grow into embryos, these will be inserted into the woman through a minor surgical procedure. Within 12 days it can be determined if the implantation was successful.

Step 6

If it’s successful then the newly pregnant woman will be taken care by OB/GYN. If not, then the woman may opt to go through another cycle of IVM.

Common Side Effects or Risks of the IVM Procedures

Some of the common side effects of In Vitro Maturation procedures are:

• The chances of contracting Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (common with IVF) is extremely less because there is very little or no stimulation of ovaries at all.
• Like with any type of fertility treatment, the chance of multiple pregnancy is more if more than one embryo is inserted.

[Read : Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome]

What Are the Success Rates of the Old and New IVM?

Although IVM is not as widely used as IVF, the success rate for IVM is around 32% when compared to an average of 40% of a single IVF cycle. As of now, clinical rates are yet to be determined for the new IVM. Once it is undertaken by many, we can retrieve information on its success.

Who is a Good Candidate For IVM?

As with all fertility treatments, IVM is not considered appropriate for all women. Women who typically benefit the most from IVM include:

• Who are at higher risk for OHSS and women with PcoS as it be fatal for them.
• Who are younger and have normal menstrual cycles who require Assisted Reproductive Techniques to become pregnant.
• Also Women who are recovering or in remission from cancer, because some hormone stimulations could also result in stimulation of any cancer tissue left behind.

What Does One Round of IVM Cost?

Currently, cost for one cycle of In Vitro Maturation ranges anywhere from $5000 till $7000 whereas an IVF cycle costs $15,000 to $20,000.

Read Also: Your Comprehensive Guide to an IVF Treatment