In Vitro Maturation of Oocytes (IVM)

In vitro maturation of oocytes (IVM) is an assisted-reproduction technique in which immature eggs are matured in the laboratory.

With IVM, eggs are collected from the ovaries while they are still immature.
They are then matured in the laboratory before fertilisation.

The principal difference between IVM and conventional IVF is that the eggs are immature when collected. This means that the woman may require substantially less medication before egg retrieval than in conventional IVF, in which eggs are usually collected after they have matured in the ovaries.

The IVM Process

Eggs are collected at an earlier, immature stage. This means that less ovarian-stimulation medication may be required before egg retrieval.

The immature eggs are placed in a laboratory incubator for one to two days so that they can mature.

Once mature, the eggs are fertilised using the partner’s sperm or donor sperm. The resulting embryos are cultured and transferred to the uterus in the same way as in a conventional IVF cycle.

Ioannis A. Sklavounos MD MSc DFFP
Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
Specialist Training and Fellowship in the United Kingdom
T.Senior Clinical Fellow – Liverpool Woman’s Hospital UK

IVF

Fertility & IVF Centre in Marousi

Book an Appointment