Updates on in vitro maturation technology in human immature oocytes for clinical application

Recent progress in in vitro maturation (IVM) technology using human immature oocytes for clinical applications has been reported. The success rate of IVM technology depends on the source of immature oocytes, and to date, no single protocol has demonstrated superior results over others. Attempts to adapt IVM protocols developed in animal models have not let to significant breakthroughs in culture conditions and systems. Cumulus cells are known to play an important role in oocyte maturation; however, the results of co-culture with different types of cells for IVM of human immature oocytes remain controversial. As one of the assisted reproductive technologies (ART), IVM is only involved in a specific procedure for infertility treatment and fertility preservation. With the development of IVM technology, it has been proposed that the combination of mild-stimulation cycle with retrieval of both mature and immature oocytes, followed by IVM, may offer a viable alternative to the conventional stimulation cycle treatment.