Young low responders protected from untoward effects of reduced ovarian response.
OBJECTIVE
To correlate fertilization and clinical pregnancy rates (PRs) in low responders with their E2 levels (<500, 500-800, >800-1,000 pg/mL), age (20-30, 31-40, >40 years), number of follicles, and number of oocytes retrieved.


METHODS
A retrospective study.


METHODS
The IVF unit of an academic hospital.


METHODS
One hundred forty-three women who failed to attain E2 levels of 1,000 pg/mL on the day of hCG administration.


METHODS
Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, blood E2 and progesterone measurements, ultrasonographic scanning of ovarian follicles, oocyte retrieval after hCG administration, and ET.


METHODS
Clinical PR.


RESULTS
Although E2 levels, fertilization rates, age, and number of oocytes did not differ significantly between the three age groups, the PR achieved in the youngest group was approximately three times as high (19.3%) as that achieved in the two older groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Young low responders represent a unique subset in that their age protects them from the deleterious effects of poor ovarian response.
Hanoch
J
J
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hadassah University Hospital, Mount Scopus, Jerusalem, Israel. HANOCH@HADASSAH.ORG.IL
Lavy
Y
Y
Holzer
H
H
Hurwitz
A
A
Simon
A
A
Revel
A
A
Laufer
N
N
D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D010053:Ovary / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017211:Treatment Failure
D004958:Estradiol