Prediction of Oocyte Number for Take-Home Baby Rate in Fresh ART Cycles

Journal für Reproduktionsmedizin und Endokrinologie - Journal of Reproductive Medicine and Endocrinology 2015; 12 (1): 19-24

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Keywords: blastocyst development,  expected gamete performance,  live birth rate,  maternal age,  oocyte number at OPU,  pregnancy rate,  take-home baby rate

To guarantee the IVF success, the retrieval of several oocytes is mandatory to compensate those which reveal fertilization failure or growth arrest and in order to transfer a viable embryo. Thus, the aim of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) is the growth of multiple follicles and to obtain a high number of mature (metaphase II [MII]) oocytes. Various factors such as the etiology of infertility, the stimulation protocol, or female age can influence the quality as well as quantity of oocytes. However, the pivotal question is the optimal oocyte number for a successful IVF therapy. Therefore, the aim of this retrospective study was to investigate a putative correlation between the oocyte number obtained per fresh cycle for IVF success and the baby take-home rate. In the period 2006–2009, 1345 fresh cycles using the long GnRH-agonist protocol were evaluated. Patients were grouped according to their age and COH response. The number of oocytes obtained per ovum pick-up (OPU) and pregnancy outcome were found to be related to the age of patients. Pregnancy and birth rates were significantly lower in patients when oocyte number was below the expected median of the age group.