Patients opting to Oocyte Cryopreservation have low rate of return for oocyte utilization: JAMA

The research, analyzing a staggering 67,893 autologous oocyte freezing cycles among 47,363 patients in US fertility clinics, identifies a subset of individuals experiencing Poor Ovarian Response (POR). This category comprises 13.5% of patients, totaling 6421 individuals, characterized by having fewer than 5 oocytes vitrified across all ovarian stimulation cycles.

Findings:

• Despite an overall low rate of return to utilize previously vitrified oocytes, patients with POR exhibit a significantly higher return rate (4.0%) compared to those with a normal ovarian response (2.3%).
• The age-specific trends are particularly noteworthy, with patients aged 30 to 34 years and 35 to 39 years in the POR group showing a more pronounced inclination to return for oocyte warming and utilization.
• Surprisingly, the time elapsed from vitrification to warming remains consistent between patients with POR and normal responders.
• Both groups exhibit similar average times, challenging the assumption that the delay in utilization is influenced by the ovarian response itself.
• Moreover, a multivariate analysis, adjusting for factors such as age, clinic region, body mass index, and history of endometriosis, identifies a key factor associated with the utilization of oocytes — having fewer than 5 oocytes vitrified.
• Patients falling into this category demonstrated higher odds of utilizing their cryopreserved oocytes.

The findings have implications for the growing number of individuals opting for oocyte cryopreservation. Despite the increased interest in fertility preservation, the study reveals a unique and somewhat unexpected pattern in patient behavior. The distinct trends observed among those with different ovarian responses suggest a complex interplay of factors influencing the decision to return for oocyte utilization. This research not only contributes to the evolving landscape of assisted reproductive technologies but also prompts a reevaluation of counseling strategies for individuals pursuing oocyte cryopreservation.

Further reading: Fouks Y, Sakkas D, Bortoletto PE, Penzias AS, Seidler EA, Vaughan DA. Utilization of Cryopreserved Oocytes in Patients With Poor Ovarian Response After Planned Oocyte Cryopreservation. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(1):e2349722.

doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.49722