title: IVF treatment should not be postponed for patients with high basal FSH concentrations.
abstract: This study determined the influence of inter-cycle variation of basal FSH concentrations on IVF treatment results, in patients with a history of high basal FSH. Patients underwent at least two IVF cycles, one with basal serum FSH ⩾10IU/l and the other at least 3IU/l lower (interval between cycles being <1year when the second cycle had the elevated FSH). A subanalysis was performed in patients with exceptionally large differences in values (⩾16IU/l and ⩽12IU/l). IVF outcomes were compared according to basal FSH concentrations in two consecutive cycles. Seventy-six patients met the inclusion criteria. Mean basal serum FSH were 15.0±3.6IU/l in the 'high FSH' group (range 12-24IU/l) and 9.0±3.0IU/l in the 'low FSH' group (range 5-14IU/l). Patient age, oestradiol at HCG administration, number of collected oocytes, fertilization and clinical pregnancy rates were similar for all cycles compared. Analysis of the subgroup with exceptionally large differences of basal FSH concentration yielded similar results. Neither high nor low basal serum FSH values were associated with IVF outcome in patients with reduced ovarian reserve and previously determined high basal FSH concentrations. Ovarian stimulation need not be delayed until FSH declines.
authors.affiliation: IVF Unit, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer 52621, Israel. ettiemaman@gmail.com
authors.forename: Ettie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Maman
authors.forename: Micha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Baum
authors.forename: Ronit
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Machtinger
authors.forename: Daniel S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Seidman
authors.forename: Jehushua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dor
authors.forename: Ariel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hourvitz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone