Age-specific FSH levels as a tool for appropriate patient counselling in assisted reproduction.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to assess whether, even within a normal FSH range (< or =10 mU/ml), age-specific FSH levels are predictive of ovarian reserve.


METHODS
Between January 1998 and December 2001, 535 women, undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation with 225 IU of recombinant (rec) FSH and 75 IU of recLH, were included in this retrospective cohort study. Criteria for enrolment were: age 25-40 years, basal FSH (b-FSH) < or =10 mU/ml and basal LH < or =12 mU/ml. Patients were assigned to three age groups (group I: 25-29 years; group II: 30-35 years; and group III: 36-40 years). Each age group was divided into quartiles according to b-FSH levels, comparing the lowest and highest b-FSH quartiles for basal hormonal patterns and outcome-related parameters.


RESULTS
At ages 25-35 years, women in the lowest FSH quartiles demonstrated significantly increased numbers of oocytes at retrieval (group I: low b-FSH quartile 8.4 +/- 3.7 versus high b-FSH quartile 6.4 +/- 2.7, P < 0.02; group II: 7.5 +/- 4.0 versus 6.3 +/- 3.0, P < 0.047), whereas no difference with regard to oocyte yield was observed in patients above age 35 (group III: low b-FSH quartile 5.5 +/- 3.1 versus high b-FSH quartile 5.6 +/- 3.5). No statistical correlation was found between FSH quartiles and clinical pregnancy rates or miscarriage.


CONCLUSIONS
In young women, age-specific high b-FSH levels, even within normal ranges, are associated with significantly reduced numbers of oocytes retrieved. B-FSH concentrations should, therefore, be interpreted in an age-specific manner to allow for appropriate patient counselling in IVF.
Weghofer
Andrea
A
Wunschbabyzentrum-Institute for Sterility Treatment, Vienna, Austria. aweghofer@gmx.at
Margreiter
Markus
M
Fauster
Yvonne
Y
Schaetz
Theresa
T
Brandstetter
Agnes
A
Boehm
Doris
D
Feichtinger
Wilfried
W
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003376:Counseling; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D009865:Oocytes; D010053:Ovary / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone