In vitro maturation as a fertility preservation strategy in cancer patients
Syrkasheva A.G., Dobrokhotova Yu.E., Gokhberg Ya.A., Troshina M.N., Sorokin Yu.A., Lapina I.A.
Objective: To describe a case series on the use of in vitro maturation (IVM) technology in patients with cancer.
Materials and methods: This study included 34 patients aged 23–43 years who presented to the IVF Department of the Medsi on Solyanka Clinical and Diagnostic Center for fertility preservation programs. Transvaginal puncture of the antral follicles was performed, followed by aspiration of the follicular fluid. The resulting oocyte-cumulus complexes (OCCs) were matured for 24–48 h in an embryology laboratory.
Results: IVM were performed in 34 patients. In one case, no oocytes were retrieved, and in five cases, mature oocytes were not obtained after the culture. A total of 185 OCCs were retrieved, averaging 5.4 OCCs per patient. Additionally, 95 mature oocytes at the MII stage were retrieved, averaging 2.9 per patient, resulting in an average maturation rate of 51.8%. Oocyte cryopreservation was conducted in 13 patients, resulting in a total of 47 oocytes, or an average of 3.6 oocytes per patient. Fertilization was performed using oocytes obtained after IVM in 15 patients. In 10 cases, embryos were not produced (due to lack of cleavage or embryos being unsuitable for transfer according to the PGT-A results). In five cases, embryos suitable for transfer to the uterine cavity were obtained (either euploid according to PGT-A or PGT-A was not performed). Embryo storage continued in two cases, while one patient discontinued embryo storage. Two thawed embryos were transferred: one into the patient's uterine cavity, which did not result in pregnancy, and the other into a surrogate mother's uterus, resulting in pregnancy and delivery.
Conclusion: IVM is a promising approach for fertility preservation in patients with cancer in whom ovarian stimulation is not feasible. The effectiveness of this technique is influenced by the patient's baseline parameters, primarily age and ovarian reserve. However, further research is required to standardize the approaches and enhance the efficacy of this technology.
Authors' contributions: Syrkasheva A.G., Lapina I.A. – conception and design of the study; Gokhberg Ya.A. – data collection and processing; Syrkasheva A.G., Sorokin Yu.A. – statistical analysis; Gokhberg Ya.A., Syrkasheva A.G., Troshina M.N. – drafting of the manuscript; Dobrokhotova Yu.E. – editing of the manuscript
Conflicts of interest: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
Funding: There was no funding for this study.
Patient Consent for Publication: All patients provided informed consent for the publication of their data.
Authors' Data Sharing Statement: The data supporting the findings of this study are available upon request from the corresponding author after approval from the principal investigator.
For citation: Syrkasheva A.G., Dobrokhotova Yu.E., Gokhberg Ya.A., Troshina M.N., Sorokin Yu.A.,
Lapina I.A. In vitro maturation as a fertility preservation strategy in cancer patients.
Akusherstvo i Ginekologiya/Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2025; (10): 83-89 (in Russian)
https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/aig.2025.210
Keywords
oncofertility
oncology
in vitro maturation
IVM
fertility preservation
ART
case series
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Received 06.08.2025
Accepted 07.10.2025
About the Authors
Anastasiya G. Syrkasheva, Dr. Med. Sci., Associate Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Surgery, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia; Head of the Department of Assisted Reproductive Technologies, CDC «Medsi on Solyanka», 109028, Russia, Moscow, Solyanka str., 12, bld. 1, +7(926)363-17-20, anast.syrkasheva@gmail.com, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7150-2230Yulia E. Dobrokhotova, Dr. Med. Sci., Professor, Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Surgery, Pirogov Russian National Research
Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia, 117513, Russia, Moscow, Ostrovityanova str., 1, bld. 9, pr.dobrohotova@mail.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9091-4097
Yael A. Gokhberg, PhD, obstetrician-gynecologist, Department of Assisted Reproductive Technologies, CDC «Medsi on Solyanka», 109028, Russia, Moscow, Solyanka str.,
12, bld. 1, gohberg.ya@medsigroup.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3637-6096
Maria N. Troshina, Head of the Embryological Laboratory of the Department of Assisted Reproductive Technologies, CDC «Medsi on Solyanka», 109028, Russia, Moscow, Solyanka str., 12, bldg. 1, troshina.mn@medsigroup.ru
Yuri A. Sorokin, Head of the Center for Reproductive Health, CDC «Medsi on Solyanka», 109028, Russia, Moscow, Solyanka str., 12, bld. 1, Sorokin.Yua@medsigroup.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9305-323X
Irina A. Lapina, Dr. Med. Sci., Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Surgery, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University,
Ministry of Health of Russia; obstetrician-gynecologist, CDC «Medsi on Solyanka», 109028, Russia, Moscow, Solyanka str., 12, bld. 1, lapina.ia@medsigroup.ru,
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2875-6307
Corresponding author: Anastasiya G. Syrkasheva, anast.syrkasheva@gmail.com
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