Research Progress of In vitro Oocyte Maturation

Abstract

In vitro maturation (IVM) has been used in clinical settings for 30 years. The merits of IVM include that it needs a relatively small amount of hormones and short treatment period. However, because the effectiveness of IVM is lower than that of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, there are few centers routinely use IVM, and it is only applicable to a few special populations. In this article, several oocyte sources related to IVM have been discussed and the effects of gonadotropin priming and triggering on IVM are described. Furthermore, we have reviewed the optimization of IVM culture conditions in recent years along with the effects of IVM on genes of oocytes and cumulus cells and the obstetric and neonatal outcomes. We aim to provide indications for future improvement of IVM technology so that the success rates of IVM technology in special populations can be improved. We hope that this mild and natural protocol can be applied to more populations, including individuals with normal ovulation.

Keywords

• c-type natriuretic peptide; cyclic adenosine monophosphate; epidermal growth factor-like peptides; in vitro maturation; melatonin; oocyte