Effects of endometriomas on ooccyte quality, embryo quality, and pregnancy rates in in vitro fertilization cycles: a prospective, case-controlled study.
OBJECTIVE
The effect of endometriomas on oocyte quality, embryo quality, and pregnancy rates in in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles was evaluated.


METHODS
Forty-five women had "chocolate" cysts aspirated at the time of oocyte retrieval, and cyst fluid CA 125 levels were measured to ascertain presence of "true" endometriomas. Fifty-seven women without any complex cysts at the time of oocyte retrieval served as controls. IVF cycle outcome parameters were compared between the two groups.


RESULTS
Women with endometriomas experienced a significantly higher rate of early pregnancy loss compared to controls (47 vs 14%). There was also a trend toward fewer oocytes retrieved and fewer embryos reaching at least the four-cell stage 48 hr after retrieval in patients with true endometriomas vs controls.


CONCLUSIONS
The presence of endometriomas at the time of oocyte retrieval is associated with increased rates of early pregnancy losses. The number of oocytes retrieved and the embryo quality may also be affected adversely in the presence of endometriomas.
Yanushpolsky
E H
EH
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
Best
C L
CL
Jackson
K V
KV
Clarke
R N
RN
Barbieri
R L
RL
Hornstein
M D
MD
D018394:CA-125 Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003710:Demography; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000502:physiology*; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D009865:Oocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D010048:Ovarian Cysts / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000473:pathology; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome / Q000453:epidemiology; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013076:Sperm Count
D018394:CA-125 Antigen