Random start or emergency IVF/in vitro maturation: A new rapid approach to fertility preservation

Abstract

There is a need to develop rapid protocols for ovarian stimulation for women who wish to preserve their fertility following diagnosis of cancer. Conventional gonadotropin stimulation protocols are lengthy and are delayed until the start of the next menstrual period, potentially compromising cancer treatments. The development of random start IVF/in vitro maturation has made significant strides for enabling couples undergoing cancer therapy to achieve a family. However, several unanswered questions still remain. What do we know about the endocrinology of stimulating ovarian follicular activity outside the established protocols of stimulation during the follicular phase? This article explores what is known about antral follicle development during the menstrual cycle, novel ovarian stimulation proposals for optimizing assisted reproductive therapies in women, and direction.