Vitrification has detrimental effects on maturation, viability, and subcellular quality of oocytes post IVM in cancerous women: An experimental study.

BACKGROUND

In vitro maturation (IVM) of immature oocytes retrieved from ovarian tissue has been considered as a valuable approach for fertility preservation in cancerous patients.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of vitrification on oocyte maturation, survival rates, as well as the subcellular oocyte quality post IVM.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The ovarian cortexes from 19 women with cervix and uterine malignancy aged 21-39 yr were collected. Cumulus-oocyte complexes were aspirated from all visible antral follicles. 102 immature oocytes were collected, and 43 oocytes were detected appropriately for IVM (control group). Also, 59 immature oocytes were vitrified, then matured in vitro (IVM) in two groups: with (GDF9) (group 1) and without GDF9 (group 2) supplementation. Rates of oocytes viability, maturation, and survival along with meiotic spindle visualization and zona pellucida birefringence were assessed with Polyscope.

RESULTS

The rate of maturation was significantly higher in controls (55.8%) compared to the other groups. Maturation rate was 23.3% in oocytes cultured in IVM medium enriched with GDF9, and 27.6% in those cultured in IVM medium lacking GDF9 (p = 0.86). Also, the meiotic spindle was present in 74.4% of control oocytes which was significantly higher than the other groups. The proportion of high zona pellucida birefringence was higher in the controls when compared with group 1 (51.2% vs. 23.3%, respectively, p = 0.04).

CONCLUSION

Vitrification had a detrimental effect on oocyte maturation, viability as well as the subcellular quality of the oocytes after IVM in cancerous women.