Age as A Predictor of Embryo Quality Regardless of The Quantitative Ovarian Response (original) (raw)

Blastocyst morphology score as an indicator of embryo competence for women aged younger than 38 years in invitro fertilization cycles

2013

Objective: This study aimed to clarify the usefulness of blastocyst scores and female age as embryo competence markers for embryo transfer in in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles. Materials and Methods: A total of 352 IVF cycles were investigated. The relevance of blastocyst scores and female age to pregnancy outcome was assessed by logistic regression analysis. Results: We revealed that, for patients aged < 35 years, the score of the best embryo was the sole factor related to multiple pregnancy, whereas the score of the best two embryos was the only factor relevant to pregnancy. For patients aged 35e37 years, the score of the best three embryos was the sole factor correlated to both pregnancy and multiple pregnancy. As for older patients, the correlation between blastocyst morphology and pregnancy outcome was mainly affected by female age. Conclusion: The blastocyst score could be used to determine the number of blastocysts transferred to younger patients, but it is less useful for patients aged > 38 years. For older patients, female age is a better indicator to determine the number of transferred blastocysts.

Effect of women’s age on embryo morphology, cleavage rate and competence—A multicenter cohort study

PLOS ONE, 2017

This multicenter cohort study on embryo assessment and outcome data from 11,744 IVF/ICSI cycles with 104,830 oocytes and 42,074 embryos, presents the effect of women's age on oocyte, zygote, embryo morphology and cleavage parameters, as well as cycle outcome measures corrected for confounding factors as center, partner's age and referral diagnosis. Cycle outcome data confirmed the well-known effect of women's age. Oocyte nuclear maturation and proportion of 2 pro-nuclear (2PN) zygotes were not affected by age, while a significant increase in 3PN zygotes was observed in both IVF and ICSI (p<0.0001) with increasing age. Maternal age had no effect on cleavage parameters or on the morphology of the embryo day 2 post insemination. Interestingly, initial hCG value after single embryo transfer followed by ongoing pregnancy was increased with age in both IVF (p = 0.007) and ICSI (p = 0.001) cycles. For the first time, we show that a woman's age does impose a significant footprint on early embryo morphological development (3PN). In addition, the developmentally competent embryos were associated with increased initial hCG values as the age of the women increased. Further studies are needed to elucidate, if this increase in initial hCG value with advancing maternal age is connected to the embryo or the uterus.

Biological versus chronological ageing of oocytes, distinguishable by raised FSH levels in relation to the success of IVF treatment

Human Reproduction, 2002

BACKGROUND: The present study addresses the issue of biological ageing of the oocyte (as indicated by basal serum FSH levels) versus chronological ageing. METHODS: 1019 infertile but ovulating women were studied in their first cycle of IVF treatment. A series of logistic regression models were developed to assess statistical significance of effects of age and FSH on implantation rates and live babies born. RESULTS: The number of oocytes retrieved and embryos available for transfer declined with increasing age and basal serum FSH concentrations. Fertilizing ability of oocytes increased with advancing age but was not affected by FSH concentrations. Although the number of oocytes or embryos available for transfer had no independent effect on implantation rates, the implanting ability of fertilized oocytes (embryos) was inversely related to increasing age and independently to FSH. The chance of a baby being born, however, was determined more by age than by serum FSH. CONCLUSIONS: Ovarian ageing affecting oocyte quality and fecundity can occur independently of chronological age. This has important practical implications whereby serum basal FSH measurement may be a valuable prognostic index, though chronological age remains important.

Use of ovarian reserve parameters for predicting live births in women undergoing in vitro fertilization

European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, 2013

Objective: To examine common clinical determinants, including patient age; levels of anti-Mü llerian hormone (AMH), inhibin B, and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH); antral follicle count (AFC); and number of oocytes retrieved, to predict live births in women undergoing in vitro fertilization. Study design: Women undergoing cycles of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) for the first time were reviewed retrospectively, and serum levels of AMH, inhibin B, and FSH, as well as AFC (days 1 and 4 of pre-ICSI menstrual period) and patient age were analyzed as determinants of live birth rates. Results: Of the patients studied, 35.71% (891/2495) became pregnant, with live births achieved in 32.20% (806/2495) of cycles initiated and in 46.37% (806/1738) of embryo transfers. Clinical pregnancy rate was 35.71% (891/2495) for cycles initiated and 51.26% (891/2318) for embryo transfers. Univariate analysis revealed that the odds of live birth significantly decreased with increasing age, declining AMH or inhibin B concentrations, and fewer oocytes retrieved. At AMH levels greater than 5.7 ng/ml, the odds of live birth were 3.18 times greater than for AMH levels less than 1.9 ng/ml [95% confidence interval (CI), 1. 89-5.43]. Using multivariate logistic regression, only AMH (OR = 1.89; 95% CI, 1.00-3.60; p < 0.05) and AFC (OR = 1.86; 95% CI, 1.02-3.40; p < 0.05) showed statistically significant associations with live birth. Area under the curve for ROC (ROC AUC ) indicated that AMH (AUC = 0.60) surpassed AFC (AUC = 0.59), number of oocytes retrieved (AUC = 0.59), inhibin B (AUC = 0.55), FSH (ROC AUC = 0.54) and chronological age (ROC AUC = 0.53) in predicting live birth. Conclusions: In this assessment of various indices (i.e., age; levels of AMH, inhibin B, and FSH; AFC; and quantity of oocytes retrieved) for predicting live births for IVF patients, AMH, AFC and the quantity of oocytes retrieved constituted the most reliable determinants. ß

Which ovarian reserve marker relates to embryo quality on day 3 and blastocyst; age, AFC, AMH?

JBRA Assisted Reproduction

Objective: The aim of the present prospective study was to evaluate which ovarian reserve marker would be more reliable as the quality of the A + B embryos (day 3 and blastocyst). Methods: We ran a prospective study with 124 infertile women, aged 24-48 years, from 2017 to 2018. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to age and the subgroups were compared for AMH, AFC, number of A+B embryos. New division of the 3 groups was performed based on the AMH, and the subgroups were compared for age, AFC and number of A+B embryos. Finally, we divided the patients into 3 groups, based on the AFC, and we compared the subgroups for age, AMH and number of A+B embryos. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: When the 124 patients were divided according to age, we found a significant fall in an A+B embryo quality (day3; blastocyst) after 35 years (p<0.038; p<0.035), and more severely after 37 years (p<0.032; p<0.027). When the 124 patients were divided according to AMH, there was a significant fall in A+B embryo quality (day 3; blastocyst), with AMH<1ng/ml (p<0.023; p<0.021). When the 124 patients were divided according to AFC, there was a significant fall in A+B embryo quality (day 3; blastocyst) with AFC<7 (p<0.025; p<0.023). These markers had significant associations with embryo quality (p<0.005). Conclusion: Age, AFC and AMH have significant associations with A +B embryo quality on day 3 and blastocyst.

The effect of age on in vitro fertilization outcome: is too young possible?

Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics, 2011

Purpose The negative correlation between fecundity and age in women has been extensively documented although data on reproductive performance in very young women is sparse. The objective of this study was to determine whether age ≤25 years has an impact on reproductive outcome in women undergoing IVF-ET. Methods IVF outcome in 85 infertility patients aged 19-25 years was compared to that in 69 infertility patients aged 30-35 years. Primary outcomes included fertilization rates and embryo quality. Secondary outcomes were clinical pregnancy and miscarriage rates. Results The young patients (≤25 years) demonstrated a lower fertilization rate, and reduced number of top quality embryos. Although clinical pregnancy, and implantation rates were similar to their older counterparts (30-35 years), the young women had a significantly higher miscarriage rate. Conclusion Our results demonstrating poorer reproductive performance in very young patients were surprising and need further investigation.

Predictors of poor ovarian response in in vitro fertilization: a prospective study comparing basal markers of ovarian reserve

Fertility and Sterility, 2002

To identify and quantify predictors of poor ovarian response in in vitro fertilization (IVF). Design: Prospective study. Setting: Tertiary fertility center. Patient(s): One hundred twenty women undergoing their first IVF cycle. Intervention(s): Measurement of the number of antral follicles and the total ovarian volume by ultrasound, and of basal levels of FSH, E 2 , and inhibin B on cycle day 3. Main Outcome Measure(s): Ovarian response, and clinical and ongoing pregnancy rates.

Role of embryo quality in predicting early pregnancy loss following assisted reproductive technology

Reproductive BioMedicine Online, 2006

Ariel Hourvitz obtained his MD degree in 1985 as a graduate of the Sackler Faculty of Medicine in Tel-Aviv. He received his qualifi cation in Obstetrics and Gynaecology in 1998 and then spent 2 years as a research fellow in Dr Eli Adashi's laboratory in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. In 2002 he obtained a Master's degree in Health Administration (MHA) cum laude from the Faculty of Management, Tel-Aviv University. His current research interests include ovarian physiology and molecular characterization of ovulation.