Assisted reproductive treatment outcome in a large cohort of women with serum FSH above 15 IU/L

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the assisted reproductive treatment (ART) outcome of women with basal FSH higher than 15 IU/l and stratify the results according to woman age. DESIGN: Retrospective study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patient data during the period of January 2002 to October 2008 were reviewed to reveal women with basal FSH higher than 15 IU/l. A total of 454 patients were evaluated for cycle characteristics and the ART outcome. The results were further stratified according to the women age and four groups were formed as lower than 30 years, 30-34 years, 35-39 years and ≥40 years age groups. Values were expressed as mean±SD or percentages. For statistical evaluations chi-squared test and one-way ANOVA were used, as applicable. RESULTS: Overall implantation rate (IR), pregnancy rate per embryo transfer (PR/ET) and miscarriage rate in this group of women with basal FSH above 15 IU/l were found to be 15%, 25% and 33%, respectively. When the results were stratified according to the woman age, IR and PR/ET became significantly higher as the woman age became younger although the mean FSH values were similar among the groups.Table 1Cycle characteristics and the outcome of ART patients with basal FSH above 15 IU/l.<30 years30-34 years35-39 years≥40 yearsPCycles (n)3992138185Embryo transfers, n (%)32 (82)59 (64)103 (75)105 (57)0.001MII oocytes, n4.0 ± 3.13.6 ± 2.82.5 ± 1.92.2 ± 1.5<0.0001Fertilization, %86 ± 1971 ± 3680 ± 3271 ± 38NSImplantation, % (n)28 (17/60)18 (22/125)16 (31/200)7 (11/169)0.0003PR/ET, % (n)38 (12/32)31 (18/59)28 (29/103)15 (16/105)0.02Miscarriage rate, % (n)17 (2/12)28 (5/18)38 (11/29)44 (7/16)NSValues are mean±SD or percentages. Chi-squared test, one-way ANOVA. Open table in a new tab Values are mean±SD or percentages. Chi-squared test, one-way ANOVA. CONCLUSIONS: Basal FSH level above 15 IU/l may be a poor prognostic factor in ART, however woman age and ovarian response to the stimulation are more important determinants for the outcome.