Ovarian stimulation for oocyte cryopreservation for prevention of age-related fertility loss: one in five is a low responder

Abstract

Oocyte cryopreservation for age-related fertility loss is gaining interest considering the tendency to postpone motherhood in many societies. Little is currently known about the actual efficiency of this approach. We aimed to explore ovarian response of presumably fertile women undergoing in vitro fertilization for this indication. A total of 105 women underwent 151 stimulation cycles at mean age 37.7 ± 2.4. None had known infertility. Mean daily starting FSH dose was 371 ± 110 (225–600). Mean number of mature oocytes cryopreserved at the first completed cycle was 9.7 ± 7.5 (0–43). However, 21% of started cycles were either cancelled before egg retrieval or resulted in 0–3 mature oocytes retrieved. Therefore, women considering oocyte cryopreservation for prevention of age-related fertility decline should be encouraged to perform this procedure at younger age than, preferably before 35.

Chinese abstract

为了预防年龄相关的生育力缺失而采取卵泡冻存技术，这在许多社会群体中引起了较高的兴趣并被认为是延长孕龄期的一种方法。但是关于此种技术的实际有效性却知之甚少。本研究纳入因此原因接受试管婴儿技术的育龄期女性，进而评估卵巢的反应性。本试验共纳入了105名女性，共进行了151个卵泡刺激周期，平均年龄为37.7±2.4。这些女性均非不孕症患者。平均FSH起始剂量为371±110（225-600）。在第一个周期结束时获得的平均冻存成熟卵泡数为9.7±7.5（0-43）。然而，启动周期时有21%的取消率，或者是在取卵前取消周期，或者是在获得0-3枚成熟卵泡时取消。因此对于那些拟通过冻存卵泡的方法预防年龄相关的生育能力降低的女性，应当在较早的年龄开始此技术，如在35岁前进行。

• Age-related infertility
• controlled ovarian stimulation
• oocyte cryopreservation
• social egg freezing

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.