Influence of women's age on the outcome of in vitro fertilization and ovarian blood flow

Kim, Ji Yeon; Lee, Dong Hyung; Lee, Kyu Sup

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of women's age on the outcome of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and ovarian blood flow.
METHODS
To investigate the influence of women's age on the outcome of IVF, 266 IVF cycles were analyzed according to their age. Number of oocytes retrieved, fertilization rate, clinical pregnancy rate, and implantation rate were analyzed. Pulsatility index (PI) of the intraovarian artery was measured by transvaginal color and pulsed Doppler on the day of hCG administration in 15 women of each age group in order to find the relationship between women's age and ovarian blood flow.
RESULTS
There was no significant difference in fertilization rate but clinical pregnancy rate and PI were different significantly according to the women's aging. In particular, the pregnancy outcome and ovarian blood flow of women older than 38 years were significantly decreased compared to those of women younger than 38 years.
CONCLUSIONS
As women's age increase, clinical pregnancy rate and ovarian blood flow were gradually decreased.