title: Elevated basal FSH levels, if it is under 15 IU/L, will not reflect poor ART outcomes.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: 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
authors.forename: Rieko
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kojima
authors.forename: Koji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nakagawa
authors.forename: Akira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nakashima
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Horikawa
authors.forename: Shirei
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ohgi
authors.forename: Hidekazu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Saito
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone