Comparison of concomitant outcome achieved with fresh and cryopreserved donor oocytes vitrified by the Cryotop method

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the outcome of oocyte vitrification using the Cryotop method, observed in an egg donation program by simultaneously evaluating embryos derived from vitrified and fresh oocytes coming from the same stimulated cycle.

Design: Cohort prospective randomized study.

Setting: Instituto Valenciano de Infertilidad (IVI) Valencia, Spain.

Patient(s): Thirty oocyte donors and 30 recipients with informed consents.

Intervention(s): Vitrification by the Cryotop method. Warming 1 hour after vitrification. Microinjection of surviving MII and fresh oocytes, evaluation of fertilization, embryo development, and clinical results.

Main outcome measure(s): Survival, fertilization, and cleavage rate. Embryo quality, pregnancy rate (PR), and implantation rate.

Result(s): Survival rate observed was 96.7%. There was no difference in fertilization rates (76.3% and 82.2%), day 2 cleavage (94.2% and 97.8%), day 3 cleavage (80.8% and 80.5%), and blastocyst formation (48.7% and 47.5%) for vitrified and fresh oocytes, respectively. Embryo quality on day 3 and on day 5-6 were similar for vitrification and fresh oocyte group (80.8% vs. 80.5% and 81.1% vs. 70%, respectively). A total of 23 embryo transfers were carried out in the vitrification group. Pregnancy rates, implantation rates, miscarriage rates, and ongoing PR were 65.2%, 40.8%, 20%, and 47.8%, respectively.

Conclusion(s): The Cryotop method preserves the potential of vitrified oocytes to fertilize and further develop, which is similar, when evaluated simultaneously, to fresh counterparts. Excellent clinical outcome indicates the possible use of this technology for egg donation programs, as well as a high potential for establishing oocyte banking.