Outcome of assisted reproductive technology in women over the age of 41.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the results of ongoing pregnancies and deliveries after assisted reproductive technology (ART) in women aged >/=41 years, stratified by year of age.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
University hospital, IVF unit.


METHODS
A total of 431 IVF and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles were initiated in women >/=41 years of age.


METHODS
Medical files of ART patients and pregnancy outcomes were reviewed.


METHODS
Oocytes retrieved, embryos developed, and clinical pregnancy and delivery rates.


RESULTS
Of the 431 started cycles, 376 (87%) reached the oocyte retrieval stage. The mean number of oocytes aspirated per patient was 5.4 +/- 0.9 and 6.7 +/- 1.2 in the IVF and ICSI cycles, respectively, and the number of embryos obtained was 2.3 +/- 1.3 and 2.8 +/- 1.6 in the IVF and ICSI cycles, respectively. The number of transferable embryos was 2.0 +/- 1.2 and 2.5 +/- 0.8. The pregnancy rate per oocyte pickup (OPU) was 12.4%; however, the delivery rate per OPU was 4.5%. The mean delivery rate per OPU among women aged 41-43 years was 2%-7%. There were no deliveries aged >/=44 years and no pregnancies at the age of 45 years. The pregnancy and delivery rates of the ICSI and IVF patients were similar after stratification by age.


CONCLUSIONS
In our studies, ART performed with homologous oocytes, whether by IVF or ICSI, yielded no clinical pregnancies among women aged >/=45 years and no deliveries aged >/=44 years. The mean delivery rate per oocyte retrieval among women aged 41-43 years varied between 2% and 7%.
Ron-El
R
R
In Vitro Fertilization and Infertility Unit, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Zerifin, Israel. rronel@asaf.health.gov.il
Raziel
A
A
Strassburger
D
D
Schachter
M
M
Kasterstein
E
E
Friedler
S
S
D000375:Aging; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic