Any experience of artificial oocyte activation (AOA) to improve ICSI fertilisation rates?

[lmno]

Hello, after badgering our new clinic to take a look at our notes from previous cycles I've just had a follow up call with the consultant. He's sure I've been put on the right protocol (Flare with maximum dose) but also mentioned we could consider AOA if we wanted as our main challenge has been fertilisation. I've had a look at the HEFA website and note that it's only approved for people who have had poor fertilisation rates in previous cycles but that there's not a long of evidence available for whether it improves outcomes. Anyone had any experience or know where I could find more information?

[Elsidee11]

Me! Although I have other problems now with egg quality. But I went from total fertilisation failure to 13 fertilised. You can check my bio for more info. Feel free to message me any questions too xxx

[PinkPanther1234]

Hi, we had a mixed bag in the way that we had good fertilisation on my first egg collection and low fertilisation on my second. The consultant told us we were not the typical case for AOA, but suggested we give it a try for our third round. We did it on the third round. Fertilisation was good and best amount of blastocysts ever. I have twins from that round, following a double transfer. Based on our experience I would say it is worth considering.

Good luck x

[Pkm4321]

hi

We have poor fertilisation rate. However AOA made no difference. It actually caused more anxiety as my clinic had issues getting it and kept saying either cancel to next month or do it without it. However, on the day they managed to source it. Made no difference but didn’t do any harm and was only £200 extra. I probably still would have done it,

[Buffy24]

we went from 2 poof embryos to 8 good quality . Hope this helps. It was a massive positive for us

[Blackcat23]

Hi,

I had total fert failure with ICSI on my first round with 12 eggs. Second round they kept same protocol but went for longer to hopefully just get more eggs to increase chances. The *minutes* before I was about to go under for egg collection, the doctor told me I was heavily advised to have AOA. It was a rushed decision, but we went with it. Apparently the laws have recently changed on it which is why it was never mentioned before. Anyway, we got 23 eggs and of those 4 fertilized and 1 become a very average 5 day blast. We will never know if it was AOA or the increased numbers...but either way I was grateful! Every case is different, but my instincts are with the numbers and not the AOA. Prepping for FET next week 🤞

Hope it all goes well for you xxx

[Lowamh]

We used it on our 3rd round. Our fertilisation rate still wasn’t great even with it but the cycle worked - we had 2 viable embryos for transfer and we had twins (after 2 failed cycles managing only 1 to transfer). Best of luck with your next cycle

[lmno]

Thanks for all the very useful replies. Mostly seems positive so I'm inclined to go for it (what's another £280 at this point?!?!). I just had a call with the embryologist about it and I'm not actually convinced we meet the criteria for it as our zero fertilisation round was IVF not ICSI but will check if we're eligible before our egg collection which is still about 6 weeks away. Thanks again for sharing your experiences x

[Cuppppatea]

My last round I had three eggs. One didn’t fertilise. The two remainders failed to reach day 5.

I have just had a round using this. Only 1/4 fertilised. I am waiting to see if this makes it to day 3.