title: The number of embryos available for transfer predicts successful pregnancy outcome in women over 39 years with normal ovarian hormonal reserve testing.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose was to determine whether the number of embryos available for transfer following IVF in women over age 39 predicted a successful pregnancy outcome.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective analysis of 455 consecutive IVF cycles in women > or = 40 years of age.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Few cycles were canceled (29/455, 6.4%) or produced no embryos (5/455, 1.1%). Women 40-43 years of age with normal ovarian reserve had a significantly greater delivery rate when > or = 4 embryos were available for transfer than when < 4 embryos were available (17.8% versus 2.4%, P = 0.002). Subsequent IVF cycles, from women with normal FSH whose first cycle produced < 4 embryos, produced delivery rates of 13.0% when > or = 4 embryos were available. Women with abnormal ovarian reserve or age > or = 44 years had very low delivery rates (1.2% and 1.4% respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The number of embryos available for transfer significantly predicts delivery from IVF-ET among reproductively older women. Many women age 40-43 with normal ovarian reserve can achieve pregnancy through IVF.
authors.affiliation: Genetics & IVF Institute, 3020 Javier Road, Fairfax, Virginia 22031, USA. mopsahl@ex-pressnet.com
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Opsahl
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Blauer
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Black
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Lincoln
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Thorsell
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Sherins
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods*; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010053:Ovary / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012372:ROC Curve; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone