In Vitro Maturation - Applications

Applications

• Facilitate IVF, and provide an alternative to ovulation induction. Before an IVF, an ovarian hyperstimulation is usually performed. By injecting gonadotropins, multiple oocytes will mature. Similar methods are applied in ovulation induction for other purposes. However, with IVM, injection of gonadotropins into the body isn't essential. Rather, oocytes can mature outside the body, such as prior to IVF. However, there still isn't enough evidence to prove the effectiveness and security of the technique.

• For research. There are a million of oocytes in the ovary at birth, but only about 400 of these will be ovulated. The rest will die by Ovarian follicle atresia. When oocytes destined to die are extracted, IVM enables the maturation of these follicles. Thus, they can be studied to gather more information on folliculogenesis and oocyte maturation.