See above. What is In Vitro Maturation and how is it different from IVF? Anyone know?
See, I do searches periodically for news articles about fertility. I keep hoping that there will be something... something. Preferably with the headline "HEY NICA -- THIS WILL GET YOU PREGNANT!!"
In Vitro Maturation popped up a while back, and though I have g.oogle.d it, I'll be darned it I understand it. Because if it works so well... why aren't more folks using it? If anyone has a clue, feel free to share with the rest of the class...
And speaking of being confused by the news... Being overweight is bad for fertility, trans-fats are bad for fertility, but a diet high in fat is good for fertility.
My little head is hurting...
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2 comments:
It's a good question! I asked an RE about it recently and did some research myself. In vitro maturation is used when eggs are immature. They are treated in a petri dish with growth factors that help them to mature to a point that they can be fertilized. There are two "common" ways to do it (and when I say common, I mean not that common at all but when it IS done these are the ways it is done -that made no sense).
First, the eggs can be harvested very early in a cycle after little to no FSH stimulation. Then all the eggs are in vitro matured (they grow and go through meiosis) and fertilized with sperm (usually via ICSI.) Alternatively, a normal IVF cycle is done and any immature eggs that are collected at retrieval are in vitro matured and fertilization is attempted.
In theory it is a particularly good system for PCOS patients who produce a lot of eggs (many immature) and who are at risk for OHSS. By taking the oocytes early OHSS is avoided. But it is not all that commonly done. I think the culturing conditions have yet to be perfected. It is becoming more common though, and I bet in a few years it will be offered in many clinics.
I seem to remember hearing the Cornell does it - you might want to hunt around there.
I'm having an RE appt. today to talk about my next IVF cycle and that is one thing I am interested in. I'll let you know if I learn anything else :)
(also - email me if you have more specific questions. I've read a lot of the primary medical literature recently so I might be able to dig up answers)
As squarepeg said. There's been some new developments (in culture media etc) in the last year or so and it's finally becoming a viable option. The thought is that in a few years' time it might be quite commonplace, but more studies/clinical trials need to be done before the practice becomes widespread.
I hope it turns out as well as they imagine - I'm in the target group of patients who would benefit.
Bea
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