Oocyte Retrieval Techniques in Assisted Reproductive Technologies

Oocyte retrieval lies at the heart of assisted reproductive technologies, enabling the collection of mature eggs for in vitro fertilisation and intracytoplasmic sperm injection. The standard approach employs transvaginal ultrasound-guided aspiration, in which a needle is advanced into ovarian follicles under real-time imaging. Single-lumen and double-lumen needles facilitate direct aspiration and optional flushing, respectively. Follicular flushing—repeated irrigation of the follicular cavity—can improve oocyte yield in poor responders but may lengthen procedural time and increase exposure to shear stress. Fine-tuning vacuum pressure and needle geometry has been shown to influence both the number of recovered oocytes and their developmental competence. Recent innovations explore hydrodynamics-based designs that generate a uniform internal flow field to guide oocytes gently toward the needle lumen, potentially enhancing retrieval rates without impairing cell viability. Attention to pre-procedural antisepsis, choice of douching agents and intra-operative technique further mitigates the risk of pelvic infection. Despite its general safety, oocyte retrieval can be complicated by bleeding, hemoperitoneum and rare ureteral injury; minimally invasive surgical management and embryo cryopreservation strategies are employed when necessary. Ongoing research seeks to balance maximising oocyte yield with minimising procedural morbidity, thereby improving clinical outcomes and global access to fertility treatments.

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Oocyte Retrieval Techniques in Assisted Reproductive Technologies publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in oocyte retrieval techniques in assisted reproductive technologies across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Oocyte retrieval: The process of collecting mature eggs from ovarian follicles for use in assisted reproduction.

Transvaginal ultrasound-guided aspiration: A technique in which a needle is inserted through the vaginal wall into ovarian follicles under ultrasound guidance to extract oocytes.

Follicular flushing: The repeated introduction and removal of fluid within a follicle to improve the yield of oocytes.

Double-lumen needle: A specialised needle with two channels, enabling both aspiration and flushing during oocyte retrieval.

References

1. Follicular flushing increases the number of oocytes retrieved in poor ovarian responders undergoing in vitro fertilization: a retrospective cohort study. BMC Women's Health (2018).
2. The influence of vaccum pressure on quality and number of recovered oocytes aspirated from ovarian follicles of swine and cows. Archives Animal Breeding (2007).
3. A new flow-based design for double-lumen needles. Journal of Biomechanics (2023).
4. Which vaginal douching agent is the best choice before oocyte retrieval? A systematic review and network meta-analysis. Frontiers in Reproductive Health (2022).
5. Severe Hemoperitoneum due to Ovarian Bleeding after Transvaginal Oocyte Retrieval with Surgical Management: A Retrospective Analysis and Comprehensive Review of the Literature. Medicina (2023).
6. Ureteral Injury with Delayed Massive Hematuria after Transvaginal Ultrasound‐Guided Oocyte Retrieval. Case Reports in Obstetrics and Gynecology (2015).