Outcome of in vitro fertilization in women 45 years and older who use autologous oocytes
Received 25 February 2006; received in revised form 31 May 2006; accepted 31 May 2006.
Objective
To determine the IVF outcome in women over the age of 44 years.
Design
Retrospective analysis.
Setting
University-based IVF center.
Patient(s)
Two hundred eighty-eight consecutive IVF cycles in women over the age of 44 years.
Intervention(s)
IVF.
Main Outcome Measure(s)
Ovarian response and cycle outcome.
Results
The mean age of the patients was 45.4 (±0.73) years, with a range of 45–49 years. Fifty-seven of 288 (19.8%) did not start because of an elevated FSH or ovarian cyst. Just over 30% (70/231) had their cycle cancelled before retrieval. The mean number of oocytes was 6.8 (±3.8), and the mean number of fertilized zygotes was 5.4 (±3.4). On average, the mean numbers of embryos replaced were 3.2 (±1.5). An overall pregnancy rate of 21.1% (34/161) per retrieval was found. Of these, 85.3% (29/34) experienced a pregnancy loss. The overall delivery rate was 3.1% (5/161) per retrieval. Only patients at 45 years of age with a good response (>5 oocytes) achieved a delivery.
Conclusion(s)
We have shown that IVF is a reasonable option for women of very advanced maternal age (>44 years) but is limited to those at the age of 45 years with a response of >5 oocytes.
The Center for Reproductive Medicine and Infertility, The New York Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York
Reprint requests: Steven D Spandorfer, M.D., The Center for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, The New York Hospital/Cornell Medical Center, 505 East 70th Street HT340, New York, New York 10021 (FAX: 212-746-4554).
ABSTRACT