Oocyte cryopreservation.

Objective: To review historical and contemporary advances in oocyte-cryopreservation techniques and outcomes.

Design: Publications related to oocyte cryopreservation were identified through MEDLINE and other bibliographic databases.

Conclusion(s): Oocyte cryopreservation can be used as an adjunct to conventional IVF and as an option for fertile women to electively cryopreserve their gametes. Recent reports indicate pregnancy rates comparable to those for cryopreserved embryos by either slow-freeze or vitrification methods. Larger prospective trials are needed to determine the true efficacy and safety of oocyte cryopreservation. Until a sufficient number of births is reached and adequate outcome data are collected, oocyte cryopreservation should continue to be considered experimental and to be performed under the oversight of an institutional review board.