Abstract: Background: Poor ovarian response remains a significant challenge in assisted reproductive technology. Patients with low oocyte yield (<5 oocytes) represent a unique subset requiring individualized management strategies.
Objective: To evaluate blastocyst formation rates and identify predictive factors for successful embryo development in in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles yielding fewer than five oocytes.
Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted on 47 IVF cycles with <5 oocytes retrieved between July 2016 and December 2024. Parameters analyzed included patient age, semen parameters, oocyte maturity, fertilization rates, and blastocyst conversion rates.
Results: The mean patient age was 36.4±4.8 years. The overall blastocyst formation rate was 48.9% (23/47 cycles). Metaphase II (M2) oocyte proportion significantly correlated with blastocyst formation (p<0.05). Cycles achieving at least one blastocyst had higher mean M2 counts (2.7±1.1 vs 1.8±0.9). No significant difference was observed based on sperm parameters.
Conclusion: Despite low oocyte numbers, acceptable blastocyst formation rates can be achieved. M2 oocyte count is a key predictor of blastocyst development in poor responders. Individualized stimulation protocols and patient counseling remain essential.
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