Is there a risk of cytomegalovirus transmission during in vitro fertilization with donated oocytes?

Objective: To define the risk of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) transmission from donated oocytes. Design: Prospective study. Setting: University IVF program. Patient(s): Sixty-seven couples undergoing 72 cycles of IVF-ET. Intervention(s): None. Main Outcome Measure(s): Serum from both partners (women: n = 71; men: n = 60) was obtained for detection of antibodies to HCMV. Semen before preparation (n = 53), sperm after preparation (Percoll gradient; n = 47), cervical mucus aspirated at the time of oocyte aspiration (n = 70), and uninseminated oocytes and embryos not suitable for cryopreservation (n = 568) were frozen in liquid nitrogen. Polymerase chain reaction was used for detection of HCMV (immediate early 1 gene) in all samples collected. Result(s): Serum antibodies to HCMV were found in 62% of the women and 37% of the men tested. Human cytomegalovirus DNA was detected in 25% of the ejaculates and in 19% of the cervical mucus samples. There was no amplification of HCMV DNA from oocytes or embryos. Conclusion(s): Because we were unable to amplify HCMV DNA from any of the oocytes or embryos, it seems unlikely that HCMV is transmissible through oocyte or embryo donation.