The dream of becoming parents is sometimes marred by fertility issues faced by either one of the partners. For those facing this problem, there is hope. New advancements in technology have enabled many couples to fulfill their dream of attaining parenthood. One such medical innovation in the field of fertility medicine is in vitro maturation (IVM). It is a novel and less invasive approach to becoming pregnant and is another alternative to in vitro fertilization (IVF). Let’s delve into the intricacies of this technique and learn about the procedure.
What is In vitro maturation (IVM)?
IVM, an advanced technique in assisted reproduction, is an alternative to the traditional IVF procedure. It is a simpler method of achieving pregnancy, with utilization of fewer drugs. In an IVF cycle, where the patient receives multiple hormonal injections to obtain numerous mature eggs, IVM involves the collection of immature eggs directly from the ovaries without the need for extensive hormonal injections. As women who undergo IVM require less use of medications, they also need less monitoring, which means fewer blood tests and ultrasounds.
There are some advantages of IVM over IVF as enlisted below:
- IVM is more cost effective
- Shorter treatment timeline
- Reduced risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS)
- It is more convenient as it does not require regular hospital visits
- The woman experiences lesser side effects and emotional turmoil
- Cancer patients can safely undergo IVM instead of IVF, which greatly strains their body
- Women under the age of 35 years have relatively higher chances of success rate with IVM
Indications for In vitro maturation
IVM acts as a ray of hope in the lives of individuals facing various fertility problems. There are specific indications where IVM has proved to be beneficial. These are:
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): IV helps women suffering from PCOS as they are more susceptible to overstimulation during traditional IVF.
- Other indications: IVM can be the preferred choice of individuals suffering with specific medical conditions or preferences that makes traditional IVF less suitable.
Procedure of In vitro maturation
There are several steps involved in in vitro maturation. These are briefly described below:
Step 1: Oocyte retrieval–This is the first step which involves retrieval of immature eggs from the ovaries.
Step 2: Maturation culture–The collected eggs are now matured in a specialized culture medium.
Step 3: Fertilization–Once the eggs are matured, they are fertilized with sperm under laboratory conditions.
Step 4: Embryo transfer–This is the last step in IVM where the cultures embryos are transferred into the uterus.
Laboratory techniques in IVM
The success rate of IVM depends on the expertise and precision of laboratory techniques, which involves:
- Culture media and conditions: The success of IVM depends largely on the culture media chosen and maintaining optimal laboratory conditions for the maturation of eggs.
- Monitoring oocyte maturation: The eggs are monitored regularly to ensure that they reach the desired level of maturity before fertilization.
- Fertilization techniques: Depending on the case, matured eggs are fertilized with sperm using either conventional insemination or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).
- Quality assessment of embryos: In IVM, only the healthiest embryos are selected for embryo transfer, resulting in increased chances of successful pregnancy.
IVM treatment cost
The treatment cost of IVM is personalized to each patient, depending on the number of IVM cycles one needs to undergo.
IVM Success rate
This procedure has shown greater success rate than traditional IVF. Factors such as age, underlying cause of infertility, and overall health of the person, influence the success rate of in vitro maturation. Pregnancy rates with IVM are known to be around 30-35% per cycle. However, the result outcome may vary from person to person.
Truly, IVM is a boon to couples who are unable to start a family.
NU Fertility @ NU Hospitals is a forerunner in the field of fertility medicine. With its well-established team of fertility experts, this institution boasts of providing even in vitro maturation technique for couples facing fertility issues. Located in Bangalore, India, NU Fertility has the best facilities and latest equipment to carry out IVM with ease. Visit NU Fertility today and avail its professional help and guidance regarding IVM without further delay!
References:
- Emerging infertility treatment could be a less invasive and cheaper alternative to IVF. UNSW Newsroom. https://newsroom.unsw.edu.au/news/health/emerging-infertility-treatment-could-be-less-invasive-and-cheaper-alternative-ivf.
Author: Dr. Sneha J
