Yonsei Med J.  2012 Jan;53(1):181-185. 10.3349/ymj.2012.53.1.181.

Oocyte Maturity in Relation to Woman's Age in In Vitro Fertilization Cycles Stimulated by Single Regimen

• Lee HJ
• Jee BC
• Suh CS
• Kim SH
• Moon SY

• KMID: 1779704
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3349/ymj.2012.53.1.181

Abstract

PURPOSE
During stimulated in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle, up to 30% of the recovered oocytes are immature ones which have poor fertilization capacity; however, the precise influencing factors are largely unknown. Here, we analyzed the association of oocyte immaturity with woman's age in IVF cycles stimulated by single regimen.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A total of one-hundred ninety five IVF cycles stimulated by recombinant FSH and GnRH antagonist protocol between 2003 and 2009 were analyzed retrospectively. The mean age of women was 34.2+/-4.0 (26-45 years). After triggering by exogenous hCG, an ultrasound-guided retrieval of oocytes was performed 35-36 hours later. All clinical data were stratified by woman's age; group I: < or =30 (n=36), II: 31-35 (n=83), III: 36-40 (n=57), and IV: > or =41 (n=19).
RESULTS
The total retrieved oocytes, as well as immature oocytes, were significantly lower in group IV, however, the mean % of immature oocytes was significantly higher in group IV than other age groups. Oocyte immaturity tended to decrease as increasing age in women aged 40 years or less.
CONCLUSION
In stimulated IVF cycle, much higher oocyte immaturity was noted in women aged 41 years or more.

Keyword

Oocyte maturity; age; in vitro fertilization

MeSH Terms

Adult
Age Factors
Female
Fertilization in Vitro/*methods
Follicle Stimulating Hormone/therapeutic use
Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone/therapeutic use
Humans
Middle Aged
Oocyte Retrieval/*methods
Oocytes/*cytology/*physiology
Ovulation Induction/*methods
Pregnancy
*Pregnancy Rate
Retrospective Studies

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 (A) The mean number of total retrieved oocytes (group I: ≤30 years old, II: 31-35 years, III: 36-40 years, IV: ≥41 years) (I-IV: p=0.001, II-IV: p=0.000, III-IV: p=0.048, ANOVA test with Scheffe's post-hoc test). (B) The mean number of immature oocytes (I-III: p=0.044, I-IV: p=0.008, II-IV: p=0.045). (C) The mean percentage of immature oocytes (II-IV: p=0.049, III-IV: p=0.002).

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