women with polycystic ovarian syndrome. Far fewer cycles have been carried out with women with regular menstrual cycles. This has mainly been because the low number of eggs retrieved and thus fewer embryos resulting for transfer have been thought to reduce the applicability of IVM in this group of patients. Approximately 400 babies have been born worldwide as a result of IVM. Data is limited regarding the safety of IVM with respect to the children born from this technology, though it appears reassuring.

With IVM, immature eggs are retrieved from the unstimulated ovaries and then are cultured in specific media to promote maturation. Success rates published in the literature show that pregnancy rates may be as high as 23% in experienced laboratories when performed in young healthy women.

Success rates have been shown to be higher with the addition of some ovarian stimulating medications. It is not clear yet what features of patients will predict a good prognosis of success with this treatment.