Case reports for embryo banking: for women who want their own

Out of the many challenges in management of female factor infertility, poor responders and low response to stimulation in aged and even younger women, seems to be a common problem. It is very difficult to offer one particular management strategy or treatment protocol for optimum outcome in this group of women of poor responders. In a low resource set up, IVF (In vitro Fertilization) specialist doctors usually face a challenge in treating women with poor/ low ovarian reserve as ovum / gamete donation is considered as a taboo in various sections of society even today. Hence women insist on having an offspring of "their own" and vehemently deny ovum / gamete donations. In this article we discuss 2 cases of poor ovarian reserve retrospectively, who underwent multiple cycles of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for embryo banking and ultimately achieved pregnancy. Both patients achieved pregnancy with the method of embryo banking. Embryo banking should be considered and discussed. Various articles have discussed the advantages and disadvantages of embryo banking or even oocytes accumulation. The advantages of this technique is patients with poor/low ovarian reserve get a chance to be pregnant with their own oocytes and also have a chance for vitrification of residual embryos. Another advantage in such patients is that the embryos can undergo PGS (Preimplantation Genetic Screening) techniques in cases of suspected genetic disorders. The disadvantage in a low resource set up like India is the cost of the treatment. Nevertheless, embryo banking and accumulation of oocytes should be given as an option for treatment of poor/ low ovarian reserve and could be considered as a ray of hope for all future mothers hoping for a child of "their own".

Clinical Significance of Endometrial Thickness and Pattern in Ovum Donation and Cryopreserved - Thawed Embryo Transfer Program / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical significance of endometrial thickness and pattan as a predictor of successful implantation of embryos in ovum donation and cryopreserved-thawed embryo transfer program. METHODS: From January, 1996 to March, 1998, 31 cycles of ovum donation and 31 cycles of cryopreserved-thawed embryo transfer were enrolled in this prospective study. Endometrial thickness was measured three times: prior to progesterone administration (P), 1 day and 3 days after P. In cryopreserved-thawed embryo transfer cycles, the measurement at 1 day after P was omitted. Endometrial pattern was observed prior to progesterone, and was considered meaningful when a multi-layered triple-line was seen with prominent outer and central hyperchogenic lines and inner hypoechogenic regions. RESULTS: There were no differences in embryo quality, dose or duration of estrogen, and endometrial thickness or pattern between conception and non-conception cycles in both ovum donation and cryapreserved-thawed embryo transfer pmgram. In ovum donation cycles, no cortelation was observed between estrogen dose and endometrial thickness or pattern. In cryopreserved-thawed embryo transfer cycles, total estrogen dose and endometral thickness at 3 days after P has a inverse correlation, and estrogen dose over 4.3 mg per day can predict expression of a multi-layered triple-line pattern, CONCLUSION: Endometrial thickness or pattern. cannot predict a successful implantaion of embryos in both ovum donation and cryopreserved-thawed embryo transfer cycles.