Age is a better predictor of pregnancy potential than basal follicle-stimulating hormone levels in women undergoing in vitro fertilization.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze to what extent the parameters of ovarian functional reserve including female age and basal FSH levels will affect the results of ovarian hyperstimulation and IVF outcome.


METHODS
Retrospective cohort study. University hospital infertility center.


METHODS
One thousand forty-five women undergoing their first cycle of IVF with ovarian stimulation after pituitary desensitization.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Cycle parameters, cancellation rate, implantation rate, and pregnancy rate.


RESULTS
Both increasing age and basal FSH were associated significantly with reduced numbers of oocytes collected, oocytes fertilized, and embryos transferred. The combined use of age and basal FSH significantly improves the predictive power for these parameters. Increasing age, but not basal FSH, was associated significantly with reduced implantation rate and pregnancy rate. Logistic regression analysis revealed that age, but not basal FSH, was an independent predictor of pregnancy rate. Neither age nor basal FSH had significant association with fertilization rate, miscarriage rate, or ectopic pregnancy rate.


CONCLUSIONS
Both basal FSH and age contributed to the prediction of the quantitative ovarian reserve as reflected by the number of oocytes collected. However, age is a better predictor of pregnancy potential for women undergoing IVF.
Chuang
Chih Chi
CC
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Taiwan University Hospital College of Medicine, and National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Chen
Chin-Der
CD
Chao
Kuang-Han
KH
Chen
Shee-Uan
SU
Ho
Hong-Nerng
HN
Yang
Yu-Shih
YS
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002452:Cell Count; D015331:Cohort Studies; D010064:Embryo Implantation; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D009865:Oocytes; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone