Oocyte retrieval is a procedure in which mature oocytes are collected from the ovaries. Oocyte retrieval is conducted when the patients’ hormonal stimulation has concluded and the ovarian follicles are likely to contain an increased number of mature oocytes. The patient is placed under intravenous sedation and a transvaginal ultrasound guided needle is used to puncture the ovary by going through the wall of the vagina. Once inserted, a controlled vacuum is applied to the needle and the follicular fluid is aspirated from the ovary.
At this point, the embryologist searches for oocytes from each follicle. Oocytes are very small and can only be seen under microscope. After the retrieval, all oocytes are transferred to a special culture media and placed in an incubator prior to being fertilized with the sperm.
