SELECTIVE FOLLICULAR REDUCTION - WHAT TO DO WITH THE OOCYTES

To investigate the possible benefits of in vitro fertilization (IVF) o f oocytes retrieved during selective follicular reduction of supernume rary follicles in non-IVF cycles. Methods-Selective follicular reducti on of supernumerary follicles was used to prevent ovarian hyperstimula tion syndrome and multiple pregnancies in gonadotropin-stimulated cycl es. We analyzed the data of 13 cycles (13 women) retrospectively. Resu lts-Three pregnancies occurred in these 13 cycles (23%), one after int ra-uterine insemination and two after timed coitus. In all cycles, ooc ytes were retrieved, and in 10 cycles fertilization was achieved (77%) ; in 6 cycles cryo-preservation was successful (46%) and in 3 cycles e mbryo transfer (ET) was performed (23%). All embryos were of poor qual ity and no pregnancies occurred after ET of frozen-thawed embryos. The diagnostic value of fertilization failure seems to be low, since one of the patients who failed to show fertilization became spontaneously pregnant afterward. Conclusion-Based on our observations, the benefici al effect of IVF/cryopreservation during selective follicular reductio n appears questionable.