Category Archives: IVF/M


How IVF/M Brings Your Immature Eggs to Maturity In Vitro

IVF/M technology is used to help a woman’s eggs completely mature in a controlled laboratory setting – instead of inside her body during an IVF cycle. Significantly less fertility medication is used during an IVF/M Cycle than in a Conventional IVF. Eggs from multiple small follicles are retrieved in an immature state to be matured in our state-of-the-art controlled laboratory. Once the immature eggs have matured fully in vitro, they are fertilized via ICSI and embryo culture proceeds.

In Vitro Maturation (IVF/M) Benefits

IVF in conjunction with egg maturation in a laboratory setting (IVF/M) increases a woman’s chance of using her immature eggs for in vitro fertilization and development of quality embryos. No longer are only mature eggs surgically retrieved to be fertilized in vitro.

  • Less fertility medications
  • Reduced cost
  • Less injections
  • Fewer ultrasounds
  • Fewer blood draws
  • Reduced side effects
  • Reduced risk of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS)

IVF/M Procedure

  • Immature eggs are surgically retrieved and placed in a petri dish containing a special maturation medium
  • The eggs are carefully monitored as they fully mature in vitro
  • Each individual egg is fertilized with a single sperm cell being injected into it – Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)
  • The fertilized egg is monitored as it transforms into a quality embryo culturing in vitro for several more days
  • When the embryos have developed into a viable stage for transfer (blastocyst stage), they are ready for fresh transfer to the woman’s uterus – or – cryopreservation for future Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) procedures
  • Only the highest quality embryos are selected for fresh transfer or cryopreservation

Candidates for IVF/M

The candidates having the best pregnancy success rates using IVF/M are:

  • Women with PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome)
  • Cancer patients who are sensitive to hormone therapy
  • Patients who want to reduce their risk of OHSS (ovarian hyperstimultion syndrome)
  • Young women who are able to produce a large number of egg follicles (10 to 15 per fresh cycle)
  • Women having a history of being able to produce a large number of egg follicles (10 to 15 per fresh cycle)
  • Women having an acceptable AMH (anti-mullerian hormone) level
  • Women who are at a healthy weight (BMI) – not obese

IVF/M Pregnancy Success Rates

Women under the age of 30 have the best pregnancy success chances using IVF/M. Pregnancy success rates are lower for women in their advanced maternal years – over 35.

Yearly ART data on IVF success rates is a rich source of information for potential IVF patients. This data gives patients an idea of their average chances of pregnancy success through IVF.

In Vitro Maturation Expertise

To schedule your consultation with Dr. John Zhang, click the icon below – or – call 212.969.7422.

How In Vitro Maturation (IVF/M) Helps to Increase IVF Pregnancy Success Rates

timearticle2IVF in conjunction with egg maturation in a laboratory setting (IVF/M) increases a woman’s chances of using at least some of her immature eggs for in vitro fertilization and transfer. Look: Through In Vitro Maturation (IVF/M or IVM) technology, Dr. John Zhang is able to retrieve and bring some of your immature eggs to maturation in vitro. Why does this make a difference? Typically in past conventional IVF procedures, only mature eggs were surgically retrieved to be fertilized in vitro.

IVF/M

A Conventional IVF procedure requires a woman to undergo multiple hormone injections to help produce 10 to 15 egg follicles as they reach maturity while they are still in her ovaries. In addition, the patient must endure multiple, regular ultrasounds and blood tests during a one month fresh IVF cycle.

The IVF/M procedure matures a woman’s eggs in vitro – in the laboratory – after they have been surgically retrieved in an immature stage. Here’s the deal: IVF/M requires fewer fertility medications and only a couple of ultrasound and blood tests during a typical one month cycle.

IVF/M cycle fertility medications are typically available in pill and suppository form. The best part? Because fertility medications are scaled back through the IVF/M process, the patient’s cost is reduced.Read more: How In Vitro Maturation (IVF/M) Helps to Increase IVF Pregnancy Success Rates