Clinical pregnancy resulting from intracytoplasmic sperm injection of prematurely ovulated oocytes retrieved from the posterior cul-de-sac.

Objective: To report a clinical pregnancy resulting from intracytoplasmic sperm injection of prematurely ovulated oocytes retrieved from the posterior cul-de-sac.

Design: Case report.

Setting: Academic center.

Patients: A 40-year-old nulligravid woman underwent ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization (IVF). Daily injections of gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist were initiated on cycle day 8. A 10,000 IU dose of human chorionic gonadotropin was administered on cycle day 15 to trigger follicular maturation. The estradiol and luteinizing hormone levels on the trigger day were 1528 pg/mL and 2.4 mIU/mL, respectively. The patient underwent oocyte retrieval 35 hours after the trigger. Transvaginal sonography at the time of the retrieval revealed a large pocket of free fluid in the posterior cul-de-sac. Only 3 follicles measuring 10-12 mm were noted in both ovaries. No lead follicles were visualized.

Interventions: Aspiration of free fluid from the posterior cul-de-sac.

Main Outcome Measures: Clinical pregnancy.

Results: The fluid in the posterior cul-de-sac was aspirated, and 3 mature oocytes were retrieved. Aspiration of the smaller ovarian follicles measuring 10-12 mm did not yield oocytes. All mature oocytes retrieved from the posterior cul-de-sac were fertilized with intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Three cleavage-stage embryos were transferred 3 days later. A single intrauterine pregnancy with cardiac activity was confirmed at a gestational age of 7 weeks.

Conclusions: In the setting of premature ovulation, aspiration of free fluid from the posterior cul-de-sac can result in the retrieval of mature oocytes, which may result in clinical pregnancies.