Elevated basal FSH levels, if it is under 15 IU/L, will not reflect poor ART outcomes.
OBJECTIVE
For this study, the impact of basal FSH levels on ART outcomes was assessed.


METHODS
From June 2003 to May 2006, 191 ART cycles were performed in our hospital. All cases were treated with GnRH-a long protocol. The patients were classified according to their basal FSH level as follows: group A: FSH <10 IU/l, group B: 10 <or= FSH <15 IU/l, and group C: 15 IU/l <or= FSH. ART outcomes were compared among the three groups.


RESULTS
The number of retrieved oocytes in group A was significantly higher than in group B, but fertilized oocytes and the pregnancy rates were comparable. The pregnancy rate in group C was not significantly lower than those found in either group A or B, but the trend was lower.


CONCLUSIONS
Oocytes retrieved from the patients who showed basal FSH levels below 15 IU/l were found to possess significant pregnancy potential.
Kojima
Rieko
R
Division of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Perinatal Medicine and Maternal Care, National Center for Child Health and Development, 2-10-1 Okura, Setagaya, 157-8538 Tokyo, Japan. riekoji-m@umin.ac.jp
Nakagawa
Koji
K
Nakashima
Akira
A
Horikawa
Takashi
T
Ohgi
Shirei
S
Saito
Hidekazu
H
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D012016:Reference Values; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted
D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone