Optimizing Timing of Fertility Drugs Enhances Oocyte Retrieval in Research Study

Recent research conducted by Osaka Metropolitan University has demonstrated that adjusting the timing of fertility medication administration to align with follicle maturity can significantly increase the number of ovulated oocytes. This breakthrough was observed in rat models, including those typically less responsive to ovulation induction. The study focused on the interval between eCG and hCG injections, which are commonly used to stimulate ovulation. Traditionally, these hormones are administered 48 hours apart; however, the researchers found that delaying hCG administration to 72 hours allowed follicles to mature more fully, resulting in an increase from an average of 7 to 43 oocytes ovulated in low-response BN rats. Nearly half of these oocytes were capable of fertilization and developed into normal offspring, indicating preserved fertilization capacity. The findings suggest that the maturity level of follicles, rather than the inherent responsiveness of the strain, influences ovulation success. This insight not only advances our understanding of reproductive biology but also holds potential applications for human infertility treatments and conservation efforts for endangered species with low reproductive rates.