mitochondria and egg quality

The egg cell contains a high number of mitochondria, which are tiny cellular organs that produce energy that the egg needs to power fertilization and embryo development. Research has shown that these mitochondria can become dysfunctional with age, leading to reduced energy availability for the egg that could result in poor egg quality. Different treatments that target mitochondria, like antioxidant supplements or mitochondrial donation, may improve egg quality, although good quality research is lacking that shows these treatments are truly effective.

Culturing immature eggs overnight by rescue IVM increases number of euploids in cycle

Researchers in a 2023 study used rescue IVM and found that many immature eggs became mature and had comparable fertilization and euploid rates to sibling mature eggs, although there was a decrease in blastocyst formation rates.

Immature eggs cultured overnight by rescue IVM show promising IVF outcomes

Researchers in a 2023 study used a procedure called “rescue in vitro maturation” to culture immature eggs collected after retrieval overnight, and found that a high proportion became mature and had comparable fertilization to sibling mature eggs, with many going on to form euploids.

Immature eggs matured in-lab for 2-6 h show acceptable IVF outcomes

Researchers in a 2022 study compared outcomes from mature M2 eggs and M1-M2 eggs that underwent  “rescue in vitro maturation” and found that M2 eggs had improved fertilization, blastocyst conversion and euploidy rates, with no difference in pregnancy or live birth rates.