title: Elevated day 3 FSH/LH ratio: a marker to predict IVF outcome in young and older women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the value of elevated day 3 FSH/LH ratio in predicting IVF results in young and older women.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred seventy-four women with normal day 3 FSH levels undergoing IVF treatment were studied. Patients were divided into two groups according to basal FSH/LH ratio: Group 1(FSH/LH ≥3, n = 43) and Group 2 (FSH/LH <3, n = 131). The effects of FSH/LH ratio on IVF outcomes were compared. Also, the impact of elevated FSH/LH levels on younger (<35 years; n = 113) and older (≥35 years; n = 61) women was evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Group 1 had significantly lower mean day 3 LH levels (p = 0.001), lower number of oocytes retrieved (p = 0.004) and lower clinical pregnancy rate (p = 0.04). Older women with elevated FSH/LH ratio (n = 23) had significantly lower transferred good grade embryo counts (p = 0.04) and lower pregnancy rate (p = 0.03) versus older women with lower FSH/LH ratio. But in younger women treatment outcomes were similar in both subgroups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Elevated day 3 FSH/LH ratio is useful in predicting IVF outcome in older women, but does not seem to be an accurate predictor in younger women.
authors.affiliation: Assisted Reproduction Unit, Zekai Tahir Burak Women's Health Education and Research Hospital, A.Ayrancı, 06540 Ankara, Turkey. bernaseckin1@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Berna
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Seckin
authors.forename: Figen
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Turkcapar
authors.forename: Gulnur
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ozaksit
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging; D000465:Algorithms; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004477:Ectogenesis / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D043373:Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Human / Q000097:blood*; D005498:Follicular Phase / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000097:blood* / Q000628:therapy*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000097:blood*; D010060:Ovulation / Q000187:drug effects; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D043373:Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Human; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone