Association of body mass index, age, and cigarette smoking with serum testosterone levels in cycling women undergoing in vitro fertilization.
OBJECTIVE
[1] To examine the effects of body mass index (BMI), age, cigarette smoking, cause of infertility, and use of oral contraceptives on baseline serum testosterone (T), and [2] to examine associations between baseline serum T and IVF outcomes such as pre-hCG serum E(2), number of oocytes retrieved, oocyte fertilization rate, and pregnancy outcome in regularly cycling women.


METHODS
Prospective, cohort study.


METHODS
Three IVF programs in eastern Massachusetts.


METHODS
Four hundred twenty-five regularly cycling women planning to undergo IVF. Women with polycystic ovary syndrome, ovulatory infertility, or irregular cycles were excluded from this study.


METHODS
Collection of epidemiological data and baseline serum in women undergoing IVF.


METHODS
Baseline serum total T, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), and calculation of free androgen index.


RESULTS
Body mass index >26 kg/m(2) was associated with a significant increase in serum T (P<.01) and free androgen index (P<.0001). Serum T decreased significantly throughout the fourth decade of life (P<.03). A history of cigarette smoking >10 pack years was associated with increased serum T (P<.01). A diagnosis of endometriosis was associated with decreased serum T. Serum T correlated positively with pre-hCG serum E(2) and number of oocytes retrieved. However, serum T did not significantly influence fertilization or pregnancy rates.


CONCLUSIONS
In cycling infertile women, increasing BMI and cigarette smoking are associated with increased serum T. Advancing age and endometriosis are associated with decreased serum T.
Barbieri
Robert L
RL
Ob-Gyn Epidemiology Center, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA. rbarbieri@partners.org
Sluss
Pat M
PM
Powers
Robert D
RD
McShane
Patricia M
PM
Vitonis
Allison
A
Ginsburg
Elizabeth
E
Cramer
Daniel C
DC
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D016014:Linear Models; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000378:metabolism; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*
D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D013739:Testosterone