Cryopreserved oocytes can serve as the treatment for secondary infertility: a novel model for egg donation

Abstract

Objective: To report the use of previously cryopreserved oocytes for the treatment of secondary infertility.

Design: Case report.

Setting: University-based IVF program.

Patient(s): A 41-year-old woman with 18 months of secondary infertility and a previous history (age 38) of elective oocyte cryopreservation.

Intervention(s): Previously cryopreserved oocytes.

Main outcome measure(s): Fertilization, embryo development, pregnancy, and outcome.

Result(s): The patient achieved pregnancy and delivery following thaw of oocytes electively cryopreserved 39 months before use. Before thawing the oocyte, the patient attempted pregnancy naturally for 12 months, followed by two unsuccessful clomiphene citrate ovulation induction cycles with intrauterine insemination and one fresh IVF cycle resulting in a chromosomally abnormal twin gestation that aborted.

Conclusion(s): Although oocyte cryopreservation is still labeled an experimental procedure, this case demonstrates that oocyte cryopreservation used for electively deferred reproduction can subsequently serve in the treatment for secondary infertility when the patient becomes her own oocyte donor.