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05 February 2007

Dear Colleague,

Use of in vitro matured eggs in treatment services

The Authority's Scientific and Clinical Advances Group recently met to discuss the use of in vitro matured eggs in the provision of treatment services.

In vitro maturation (IVM) is the process whereby eggs are matured in the laboratory before being fertilised with sperm.  The recovery of immature eggs followed by in vitro maturation and in vitro fertilisation (IVF) could be an attractive alternative to conventional IVF especially for women with polycystic ovaries or polycystic ovarian syndrome who may more susceptible to developing ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (an excessive ovarian response to IVF hormones which, in extreme cases, can be life-threatening) during fertility treatment. Furthermore, IVM could also be useful for fertile women undergoing IVF because their partners have impaired sperm.

The Authority's Scientific and Clinical Advances Group concluded that no studies on IVM have suggested that the technique is dangerous and there is no evidence of abnormalities in the children who have been born following this procedure. However, there is insufficient evidence to be absolutely certain of its safety as the number of children born is very few and those that have been born are still very young. Long-term follow-up studies of the children born following IVM treatment are required to determine if there are any possible effects of using this technique in treatment services. The risks of IVM treatment needs to be considered in relation to the risk of drug use. Therefore, if the technique is offered to patients it should be offered with all relevant information and parents should be strongly encourage to allow the children born as a result of IVM to take part in long-term follow-up studies.

I am writing to notify you of the procedure for applying to use in vitro matured eggs in treatment services. Centres that wish to use IVM must apply to the Authority prior to offering this service and as part of the application a Licence Committee of the Authority will need to see the patient information and consent specific for this treatment. Furthermore, centres would have to demonstrate that they have gained expertise in maturing eggs in the laboratory before being licensed to offer this treatment to patients.

If you have any queries regarding this letter then please contact your HFEA inspector.

Yours sincerely
 
Shirley Harrison
Chair

Page last updated: 23 August 2012

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