Present state and future outlook for the application of in vitro oocyte maturation in human infertility treatment

In vitro oocyte maturation is an assisted reproductive technology in which a meiotically immature oocyte (prophase I or germinal vesicle stage) is recovered from an antral follicle and matured in vitro prior to fertilization. This technology, although in widespread use in domestic livestock, is not typically implemented during human in vitro fertilization cycles. This review examines how in vitro oocyte maturation is currently used in the clinical setting, including the various ways in vitro oocyte maturation is defined in practice. The role of in vitro oocyte maturation in patient care and the major challenges for implementation are described. Efficiency and safety are critically explored. The role of in vitro oocyte maturation in oncofertility will also be discussed. Finally, the outlook for the future of clinical in vitro oocyte maturation is considered. This review summarizes the current state of the art of in vitro oocyte maturation as used in the treatment of human infertility and fertility preservation, its advantages, and shortcomings, and examines what is next for this technology.

Automated summary

This review examines the current use of in vitro oocyte maturation in clinical settings, including its different definitions in practice. It discusses the role of in vitro oocyte maturation in patient care and the challenges for implementation, as well as exploring its efficiency and safety. The review also discusses the role of in vitro oocyte maturation in oncofertility and provides an outlook for its future in clinical settings.