In vitro maturation of human oocytes (IVM) was developed to provide a safer and a cheaper alternative to conventional IVF. Improved IVM techniques are developing rapidly and an increasing number of fertility clinics are offering IVM .The concept of IVM technology remains attractive. However, its introduction in routine clinical IVF program is at present, a distant goal.

Immature eggs are collected from unstimulated or minimally stimulated ovaries under ultrasound scan guidance. The immature eggs are then matured in the laboratory for24-48 hours using culture medium with added small quantities of hormones.

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is used for fertilization of the matured eggs.

Stimulated IVF is associated with the risk of developing ovarian hyper stimulation syndrome (OHSS) which is a potentially fatal condition and IVM eliminates this risk because it does not involve ovarian stimulation.  Also , IVM is less expensive than IVF because it does not involve taking costly gonadotropin injections and involve less monitoring.

A number of people may benefit from IVM treatment:

·         As an alternative to IVF for women with PCOS.

·         As an alternative to IVF for younger women with normal menstrual cycles, IVM being less costly and safer.

·         Fertility preservation in young cancer women who are going to receive chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

·         Salvaging immature eggs collected during a standard IVF/ICSI .

Clinical pregnancy rates of 38% for women aged 35 years or under having IVM has been reported which compares favorably with that of conventional IVF.