Question

Describe the process in vitro maturation (IVM) of oocyte and the application in Reproductive Biotechnology.

Answer 1

In vitro means outside the human body. In vitro maturation refers to the technique in which the immature oocyte are made to get mature in the external environment (like test tube) so that it could finally be ready to get fertilized.

Maturation of oocytes means transforming of oogonia into mature oocytes by the process of meiosis.

In vitro maturation of oocytes is done in those females who have some fertility issue which makes them unable to produce mature oocytes. This cause infertility in them. A common example of infertility issue is PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome).

In vitro maturation of oocyte followed by in vitro fertilization of oocyte is one of the best technique for infertile women.