First UK Births using 'IVM' Treatment

[k]

Just seen this on the news today, thought it might be of some interest;

Twins have been born using a treatment called 'IVM' (In-vitro Maturation) at a clinic in Oxford. IVM is different to IVF in that immature eggs are removed from the ovaries. These are developed in the lab and then fertilized before been transferred back to the womb. This treatment is apparently cheaper and safer than IVF, in that it doesnt require stimulation drugs (So no danger of OHSS). It is apparently less successful than IVF and there are theoretical concerns about the maturation process damaging the eggs and leading to abnormalities. (Although IVM births so far show no problems).

See this link http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7058291.stm

[shantala]

hi k

i wonder if this post can be made a sticky (marcus??) so that people can read about it at all times.

anyway, thank you for mentioning it! i had my ivf at oxford and had heard about it. however, as it's still fairly new there i believe only women with polycystic ovaries have access to this tmt at oxford at the moment. (or at least that was the case a few months ago)

here is oxford's website if anyone is interested:

www.fert.org

thanks

xxx

[JustinesBaby]

*

[BabyQuest]

Hello,

The McGill clinic in Canada apparently was a pioneer in this procedure.
http://www.mcgillivf.com/e/McGillIVF.as ... 84.186.212

McGill indicates that "IVM treatment is an important treatment option for women who want to avoid the inconvenience, cost and risks of gonadotropin therapy for ovarian stimulation. IVM treatment is very easy and requires little time commitment compared to conventional IVF. Full treatment consists of two or three of ultrasounds followed by an injection of HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) to mature the eggs 35 hours prior to egg retrieval."

It seemed that the requirements for this procedure, in comparison to IVF, were far less demanding on an egg donor, so I decided to investigate. I discussed IVM with a McGill doctor and was informed that:
1) very few procedures have been done so far, so it is difficult to provide an accurate success rate or abnormality stats (although it seems that there is a greater chance of abnormalities) and
2) it is currently only being offered to PCOS patients

So it is a hope for the general popuplation "tomorrow", and a possibility for PCOS patients today