Relationship between Serum Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor and the Outcome of in vitro Fertilization

目的:探讨取卵日血中脑源性神经营养因子(BDNF)能否预测卵母细胞质量和其后的卵胞质内单精子注射(ICSI)的妊娠结局.方法:总共纳入57例进行ICSI患者,在取卵日清晨抽取空腹静脉血,测量BDNF,E2和P的浓度.比较妊娠组与非妊娠组的相关数据,并分析取卵日BDNF水平与E2、P、年龄和IVF相关数据之间的相关性.结果:妊娠组与非妊娠组的BNDF浓度无明显差异;取卵日BDNF浓度与E2和P呈明显正相关.BDNF与获卵数和成熟卵母细胞数成正相关.结论:尚不能用取卵日BDNF来预测ICSI的妊娠结局,但BDNF可能在卵母细胞发育成熟过程中发挥着重要作用.     

取卵日血清孕酮水平与ICSI周期可用胚胎数及妊娠结局的关系

目的:探讨ICSI周期取卵日血清孕酮水平与可用胚胎数及妊娠结局的关系。方法:对289例超促排卵后经ICSI助孕的患者资料进行回顾性分析。结果:在预测取卵后d3可用胚胎数方面,取卵日血清孕酮水平与注射hCG日E2水平的相对风险度分别为1.83和1.39。使用受试者工作曲线,界定出预测取卵后d3可用胚胎数目<4的取卵日孕酮浓度是11.7ng/ml。取卵日孕酮水平较高的患者获得了更多的可用胚胎且差异显著,但妊娠结局并无差异。结论:取卵日血清孕酮水平与可用胚胎数目相关,但不影响新鲜ICSI周期妊娠结局。     

超促排卵周期HCG日与取卵日雌激素水平与妊娠的相关性研究

目的:探讨超促排卵周期中血清雌激素(E2)水平的变化及其与妊娠的关系.方法:选择201 1年1月至2012年10月在我中心行IVF-ET(包括ICSI)治疗的516例不孕患者,按妊娠结局将患者分为妊娠组与非妊娠组.回顾分析患者注射HCG日与取卵日的血清E2水平,计算两日E2差值(⊿E2)与取卵日E2值的比值,并对此比值与妊娠结局进行相关性分析.结果:在超促排卵周期中,妊娠组与非妊娠组患者的⊿E2与取卵日E2值的比值差异显著(1.45±0.89 vs 1.44±1.54,P＜0.05).此比值与妊娠率呈负相关(r=-0.824,P＜0.05).结论:在控制性超排卵治疗中,⊿E2与取卵日E2值的比值可作为预测助孕结局的指标,此比值越大,越不利于妊娠结局.     

卵母细胞滑面内质网聚集对早期胚胎及妊娠结局的影响

目的:研究卵胞浆内精子注射(ICSI)周期卵母细胞滑面内质网(sER)聚集对早期胚胎体外发育及妊娠结局的影响并分析其原因。方法:99例患者ICSI治疗107个周期,于HCG日测定血清激素E2、P、LH浓度以及子宫内膜厚度。根据所获MⅡ期卵母细胞是否出现sER聚集分为A、B两组,A组为所获MⅡ期卵母细胞均未出现sER聚集周期共90例;B组为有至少一枚MⅡ期卵母细胞出现sER聚集周期,共17例。比较A、B两组HCG日E2、P、LH水平、子宫内膜厚度,及治疗周期数、年龄、病程、Gn总量、Gn天数、获卵数、受精率、可用胚胎率、优质胚胎率、移植胚胎数、周期临床妊娠率、种植率、流产率和原发、继发不孕患者比例的差异。并且对比B组sER聚集阳性[sER(+)]与sER聚集阴性[sER(-)]卵母细胞的受精率、可用胚胎率和优质胚胎率。结果:B组HCG日E2水平明显高于A组(P<0.05,3141.18±604.47 vs 2635.12±825.46),而两组间P和LH水平以及子宫内膜厚度均无显著差异(P>0.05)。B组优质胚胎率显著低于A组(P<0.05,47.83%vs 57.67%),而B组Gn天数(P<0.01,13.35±1.66 vs 11.83±2.4)和流产率(P<0.05,100%vs 17.86%)均明显高于A组,两组在年龄、治疗周期数、病程、Gn总量、获卵数、受精率、可用胚胎率、移植胚胎数、临床妊娠率、种植率以及原发、继发不孕患者比例等各方面均无显著差异(P>0.05)。B组sER(+)卵母细胞的优质胚胎率显著低于sER-卵母细胞(P<0.01,20.69%vs 52.9%),而受精率和可用胚胎率无显著性差异(P>0.05)。结论:ICSI周期卵母细胞sER聚集对早期胚胎体外发育及妊娠结局均有不良影响,sER聚集可能与HCG日高E2水平及长时间Gn刺激有关。     

培养液中添加不同促性腺激素对卵母细胞体外成熟的影响

目的:比较卵母细胞体外成熟培养液中添加不同促性腺激素对未成熟卵母细胞体外成熟结局的影响。方法:将行卵母细胞体外成熟(IVM)的35例患者共42个新鲜取卵周期,随机分成A组:22个取卵周期将重组人促卵泡激素(果纳芬,rFSH)和重组人绒毛膜促性腺激素(艾泽,hCG)按1∶1的比例混合添加,终浓度为75 mIU/ml;B组:20个取卵周期添加终浓度为75 mIU/ml的尿源性促性腺激素(hMG),进行未成熟卵母细胞体外成熟培养。35例患者中新鲜取卵周期未移植或移植后未孕者行解冻胚胎移植。比较组间患者的卵母细胞成熟率、受精率、卵裂率、优质胚胎率、累计临床妊娠率及胚胎着床率。结果:取卵均于月经周期第12日或最大卵泡发育至10￣12 mm时进行,故所获卵均为未成熟卵。A组获卵181枚,经培养后成熟84枚,行卵胞浆内单精子注射(ICSI)84枚,受精60枚,卵裂55枚,优质胚胎20枚;新鲜胚胎移植9例,获1例临床妊娠,解冻胚胎移植5例,获1例临床妊娠,累计临床妊娠率为14.29%,胚胎着床率为7.14%。B组获卵176枚,经培养后成熟120枚,行ICSI 120枚,受精97枚,卵裂90枚,优质胚胎41枚,新鲜胚胎移植6例,获4例临床妊娠,解冻胚胎移植9例,获3例临床妊娠,累计临床妊娠率为46.67%,胚胎着床率为33.33%。结论:卵母细胞体外成熟培养液中添加尿源性促性腺激素可获得较添加重组人促卵泡激素和重组人绒毛膜促性腺激素高的卵母细胞成熟率、临床妊娠率及胚胎着床率。     

体外受精——胚胎移植中血清及卵泡液催乳激素变化相关分析

目的:探讨体外受精-胚胎移植(IVF-ET)过程中血清及卵泡液催乳激素(PRL)的变化规律及其意义。方法:检测38例接受IVF-ET患者治疗前(基础日)、治疗中(Gn 6日、HCG日、取卵日)血清PRL水平及取卵日卵泡液(左、右卵巢)PRL水平,分析变化规律及其与获卵、受精、胚胎质量及妊娠情况的相关性。结果:1PRL在取卵日左、右卵巢卵泡液的浓度明显高于基础日、Gn 6日、HCG日血清水平(P0.05)。2PRL的血清浓度从卵泡期开始上升,在HCG日达峰,约为基础日浓度的2.43倍,取卵日稍下降,Gn 6日、HCG日和取卵日的血清PRL浓度均显著高于基础日血清PRL浓度(P0.05)。3HCG日血清PRL浓度与回收卵数、成熟卵数呈正相关(P0.05);取卵日血清PRL浓度与回收卵数、成熟卵数、受精数、优胚数均呈正相关(P0.05);其余指标之间无显著相关性。4妊娠组与未妊娠组在IVF-ET过程中基础日、Gn 6日、HCG日、取卵日血清和左、右卵巢卵泡液中的PRL值比较,差异均无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:垂体降调节及控制性超促排卵过程对垂体的PRL分泌无显著影响,HCG日、取卵日的血清PRL的浓度与获卵、受精及胚胎质量有一定的相关性。IVF-ET与正常月经周期存在相似的一过性PRL升高过程,但未影响妊娠结局。     

卵泡液中雌孕激素水平及卵泡大小与卵母细胞成熟度的关系

目的:探讨卵胞浆内单精子显微注射(ICSI)周期取卵日卵泡大小、卵泡液中雌孕激素水平和卵母细胞成熟度的相关性。方法:选择因男方因素在本中心接受ICSI治疗的51例不孕患者作为研究对象,收集取卵日卵泡液共140例,取卵前B超测量卵泡平均直径,采用电化学发光法(ECLI)检测卵泡液中雌二醇(E2)、孕酮(P)水平,分析取卵日卵泡大小、卵母细胞成熟度及卵泡液中雌孕激素水平三者间的相互关系。结果:卵泡平均直径与卵泡液E2水平呈正相关(r=0.724,P<0.05),与P水平亦呈正相关(r=0.798,P<0.05);按卵母细胞成熟度分为MⅡ组、MⅠ组、GV组和退化组,4组卵泡液中P水平无统计学差异(P>0.05),但退化组卵泡液中E2水平显著低于MⅡ组(P<0.05);所有样本按P/E2值分为1(<15)、2(15～25)、3(>25)组,2组卵母细胞成熟率最高,与1、3组的差异均有统计学意义(P<0.017),1组与3组的卵母细胞成熟率无统计学差异(P>0.017)。根据卵泡平均直径分组,直径>1.6cm为大卵泡组,1.6～1.2cm为中卵泡组,<1.2cm为小卵泡组,大卵泡组卵母细胞成熟率最高,与中、小卵泡组的差异有统计学意义(P<0.017),中卵泡组卵母细胞成熟率显著高于小卵泡组(P<0.017)。结论:卵泡大小与卵泡液雌孕激素水平呈正相关。卵泡液中P/E2在特定范围内时卵母细胞成熟率较高,其水平过高或过低均影响卵母细胞成熟;大卵泡组与中、小卵泡组在卵母细胞成熟率方面有显著统计学差异。     

子宫内膜异位症合并不孕患者经体外受精/卵胞质内单精子注射-胚胎移植治疗后妊娠结局及相关因素的分析

目的探讨子宫内膜异位症(EMS)对不孕患者经体外受精/卵胞质内单精子注射-胚胎移植(IVF/ICSI-ET)治疗后妊娠结局的影响及其与妊娠结局相关的因素。方法选择行IVF/ICSI-ET治疗的46例EMS合并不孕患者的55个取卵周期作为EMS组;选择同期行IVF/ICSI-ET治疗的126例非EMS患者的156个周期作为对照组。回顾性分析患者的临床资料,并进一步分析与妊娠结局相关的因素。结果 EMS组CA-125水平、周期取消率显著高于对照组(P0.05);基础窦卵泡数(AFC)、hCG注射日成熟卵泡数、获卵数、MII卵数、双原核(2PN)数、卵裂数、优质胚胎数、优质胚胎率显著低于对照组(P0.05);hCG注射日成熟卵泡数与EMS患者未妊娠的相关回归系数0。结论 EMS合并不孕患者卵巢储备功能下降,卵子和胚胎质量下降,更易取消周期。但其卵子成熟率、正常受精率及临床结局与非EMS对照组不孕患者相比无统计学差异;hCG注射日成熟卵泡数是EMS患者妊娠的保护因素。     

血清雌二醇和孕酮水平预测体外受精行长效激动剂方案妊娠结局的研究

目的:评估血清雌二醇(E_2)、孕酮(P)水平和P/E_2与体外受精/卵胞浆内单精子注射(IVF/ICSI)并行GnRH长效激动剂方案妊娠结局间的关系。方法:对2014年1月至2017年2月期间接受IVF/ICSI新鲜周期胚胎移植并行Gn RH长激动剂方案的539例妇女的完整数据进行了回顾分析。根据获得的卵母细胞的数目分成3组:低卵巢反应(≤4个获得的卵母细胞)、中卵巢反应(获得5~19个卵母细胞)和高卵巢反应(≥20个获得的卵母细胞)。采用受试者工作特征曲线(ROC曲线)确定hCG日血清P水平和P/E_2对不良妊娠预测的最佳临界值。结果:随着hCG日血清P水平的增加,妊娠率呈显著下降趋势;总体P水平为3.408 nmol/L,等效灵敏度和特异度值为55%;中和高卵巢反应者P水平为3.408 nmol/L的等效灵敏度和特异性值为56%,P水平为4.042 nmol/L的等效灵敏度和特异性值为62%。P/E_2≤0.49患者的妊娠率(31.4%)显著高于P/E20.49患者(23.4%)(P=0.041),但是两者在受精率和卵裂率方面差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。hCG日不同E_2水平患者妊娠率、受精率和卵裂率差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:hCG日血清P水平和P/E_2比值对IVF/ICSI并行GnRH长效激动剂方案妊娠结局有预测作用。     

月经期取卵在卵巢低储备患者IVF-ET中的应用

目的:探讨月经期取卵在卵巢低储备(diminished ovarian reserve,DOR)患者体外受精-胚胎移植(IVF-ET)中应用的可行性。方法:回顾性分析70例DOR行IVF/卵胞质单精子注射(ICSI)-ET治疗的不孕症患者的临床资料,比较其73个月经期取卵和270个非月经期取卵的结局。若月经2~4 d阴道超声提示优势卵泡直径≥14 mm且E2水平200 ng/L则行月经期取卵,若无优势卵泡按常规促排卵方案行IVF/ICSI,观察其临床结局。结果:月经期组获卵数、成熟卵数和可用胚胎数分别为1.0±0.4个、0.8±0.4个、0(0,1)个,非月经期组分为1.6±1.2个、1.4±1.1个、1(0,1)个,组间有统计学差异(P0.05)。月经期组周期取消率为72.6%,显著高于非月经期组43.0%(P0.05)。月经期组获卵率、卵裂率、卵子利用率分别为83.1%、94.7%和34.5%,非月经期组分别为70.6%、96.7%和51.7%,组间无统计学差异(P0.05)。结论:尽管月经期取卵的获卵数、成熟卵数、可用胚胎数小于非月经期取卵,但获卵率、卵裂率和卵子利用率组间无统计学差异,为反复周期取消、高基础雌激素的DOR不孕症患者节约了治疗时间,提供了新的方法。     

The influence of estradiol/follicle and estradiol/oocyte ratios on the outcome of controlled ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of the ratios of estradiol (E2) to either the number of follicles >14 mm on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin administration (E2/follicle) or the number of oocytes retrieved (E2/oocytes) during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-agonist (agonist group) and GnRH-antagonist (antagonist group), on the outcome of in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All consecutive women aged <35 years admitted to our IVF unit during a 6-year period with normal to high response to COH were retrospectively studied. Ovarian stimulation characteristics, number of oocytes retrieved, number of embryos transferred and pregnancy rate were assessed. RESULTS: Six hundred and ninety consecutive IVF cycles were evaluated, 301 in the agonist group and 389 in the antagonist group. The ratios of E2/follicle and E2/oocyte were significantly higher in the agonist group (p < 0.001 for both). Moreover, while pregnancy rates within E2/oocyte ratio of 100-200 pg/ml were comparable between the agonist and antagonist groups, when E2/oocyte ratios were <100 pg/ml or >200 pg/ml, pregnancy rates were significantly higher in the agonist group. Furthermore, no difference in pregnancy rates was observed within the agonist group between different E2/oocytes ratios, while within the antagonist group, higher pregnancy rates were observed when comparing those with E2/oocyte ratio of 100-200 pg/ml with those with E2/oocyte ratio <100 pg/ml or >200 pg/ml. CONCLUSION: While E2/oocyte ratio cannot predict the success of GnRH-agonist protocol, patients undergoing GnRH-antagonist protocol should reach E2/oocyte ratio within the 100-200 pg/ml range in order to achieve the best IVF outcome.     

Relationships between pregnancy rates following in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection and endometrial thickness and pattern

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of endometrial thickness and pattern on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration on in vitro fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic injection (ICSI) outcome. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 150 infertile women undergoing embryo transfer after IVF/ICSI cycles were studied in a prospective survey. Sonographic features of the endometrium (thickness and pattern) on the day of hCG administration, hormonal profile (progesterone, estradiol, FSH, LH) and various other variables (maternal age, causes and duration of infertility, duration of treatment, number of human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) ampoules administered, and number of oocytes retrieved) were evaluated. These variables in pregnant and nonpregnant patients were compared. RESULTS: There was no difference between pregnant and nonpregnant patients in mean endometrium thickness (10.1+/-1 versus 10.2+/-2, p=0.79). Pregnancies occurred only in patients with an endometrial thickness of 9-12 mm (p=0.036). Duration of treatment, number of hMG ampoules administered, number of oocytes retrieved, estradiol concentration, and estradiol/progesterone ratio on the day of hCG differed significantly between pregnant and nonpregnant patients. There was no correlation between endometrial pattern and pregnancy rate. The receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve and multiple logistic regression showed no significant effect of endometrial thickness in the outcome of IVF/ICSI. CONCLUSION: The sonographic features of the endometrium (thickness and pattern) on the day of hCG administration did not differ between pregnant and nonpregnant patients. The pregnancy rate declined beyond two limits of endometrial thickness.     

Follicular fluid concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor, inhibin A and inhibin B in IVF cycles: are they markers for ovarian response and pregnancy outcome?

OBJECTIVE(S): The aim of this study was to measure concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), inhibin A and inhibin B in follicular fluid (FF) of women undergoing to in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles and to determine their relationship with ovarian response and pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN: Follicular fluid was collected from 58 patients undergoing oocyte retrieval for IVF. Ovulation was induced with GnRH analogues and gonadotropins. Follicular fluids of mature follicles (>17 mm) were aspirated and pooled for each patient. Follicular fluid steroid hormone levels (E2, P) and VEGF, inhibin A, inhibin B concentrations were studied. The serum levels of E2, P and VEGF were also assessed on the day of the oocyte retrieval. These parameters and characteristics of the cycles were compared between the pregnant (group 1) and non pregnant (group 2) patients. RESULTS: The serum and FF VEGF levels were found to be significantly lower in the group in whom the pregnancy was achieved (P < 0.001). The FF inhibin A and FF inhibin B were found to be significantly higher in pregnant group (P < 0.001). However, age, day 3 FSH, dosage of gonadotropin administered, fertilization rate, sperm count, motile and morphologically normal sperm percentage were not significantly different in the two groups. There was an negative correlation between VEGF and number of follicles, number of oocytes, FF inhibin A, FF inhibin B. The number of oocytes retrieved, the fertilization rate were positively correlated with FF inhibin B and FF inhibin A. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that decreased FF VEGF, serum VEGF and elevated FF inhibin A and B are associated with better ovarian response and high pregnancy rate.     

透明带形态异常卵母细胞在IVF完全受精失败后行补救ICSI的临床结局

目的:研究透明带形态异常卵母细胞的受精、胚胎发育和临床结局。方法:以在IVF完全受精失败(TFF)周期中透明带形态异常的15名患者为研究组(A组),非透明带形态异常的完全受精失败周期的63例患者为对照组(B组),回顾性分析比较患者的一般临床情况、IVF结局及行补救ICSI(R-ICSI)的临床结局。结果:除受精率组间有显著性差异(65.52%vs 78.86%,P<0.01)外,其余各指标(年龄、不孕年限、不孕类型、不孕原因、基础内分泌水平、基础卵泡数、降调节天数、Gn使用天数、Gn使用总量、hCG注射日直径≥16 mm卵泡数、hCG注射日E2、P和LH水平、获卵数、MII卵数、行R-ICSI的受精率、卵裂率、优质胚胎率、种植率、临床妊娠率和流产率)组间均无统计学差异。结论:IVF完全受精失败周期透明带形态异常卵母细胞行R-ICSI虽受精率较低,但及早发现受精失败并行R-ICSI,可使65.52%的卵子受精,从而改善临床结局。     

Visualization and Examination of the Meiotic Spindle in Human Oocytes with Polscope

PURPOSE: The effect of detectability/location of meiotic spindle to fertilization of human MII oocytes and outcome of clinical IVF/ICSI-ET cycles was studied. METHODS: The location of spindle relative to polar body positioned to 6 o'clock was detected with polscope prior to ICSI in oocytes. Data of 83 IVF/ICSI-ET cycle, including pregnancy results, and a total of 1033 oocytes examined were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Polar body position does not always accurately predict spindle position. Similar fertilization was observed in the polscope detected and in the control group. The main number of oocytes and spindle positive oocytes collected was higher in the pregnant than in the non-pregnant group. Higher fertilization was found in that group where 2/3-d of the oocytes had detected spindle. The main number of oocytes and spindle positive oocytes obtained decreased with increasing age of patients. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of birefringent spindle predicts higher fertilization and development and greater probability of pregnancy.     

卵胞质内单精子显微注射后异常受精的影响因素分析

目的:探讨卵胞质内单精子显微注射(ICSI)后异常受精发生的影响因素。方法:回顾性分析299个ICSI周期,按照是否有异常受精分为异常受精组(n=118)和正常对照组(n=181),异常受精组至少发生1个非2原核(2PN)的受精卵。比较分析异常受精组和对照组临床和实验室资料。结果:异常受精组hCG注射日E2水平(14 097±3 066 pmol/L)高于对照组(1 2461±6 836 pmol/L),差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);异常受精组获卵数及成熟卵数分别为17.8±7.2个、15.3±6.1个,多于对照组的13.6±7.0个、10.2±5.3个,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.01);卵子成熟率(81.7%vs76.4%)、2PN受精率(78.4%vs 86.9%),组间比较差异均有统计学意义(P<0.01);而患者年龄、基础激素水平、促性腺激素(Gn)使用总量、精子来源及质量、着床率、临床妊娠率组间比较,差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论:卵巢对Gn刺激的高反应性可能与ICSI后异常受精的发生有关。异常受精卵的发生虽对临床结局无明显影响,但减少异常受精发生率,增加卵子利用率,可能会提高累积妊娠率。     

超排卵周期卵巢反应性与体外受精、卵胞浆内单精子注射结局的关系

目的　探讨超排卵周期中卵巢反应性与体外受精 (IVF)、卵胞浆内单精子注射 (ICSI)结局的关系。方法　回顾分析 1999年 3月至 2 0 0 0年 12月间 ,4 74对不孕夫妇在本中心按常规方法行IVF 胚胎移植 (ET)及ICSI治疗的 5 10个周期。采用促性腺激素释放激素激动剂 (GnRH a) 高纯促卵泡激素 (FSH HP) 人绒毛膜促性腺激素 (hCG)长、短方案促排卵 ,以注射hCG日血清雌二醇 (E2 ) >110 10pmol L(16 0个周期 )为A组 ,获卵数 >15个 (14 8个周期 )为B组 ,A、B两组为卵巢高反应组 ;E2≤ 110 10pmol L(35 0个周期 )为C组 ,获卵数≤ 15个 (36 2个周期 )为D组 ,C、D两组为正常反应组。结果　高反应组与低反应组间 ,年龄、不孕时间、基础FSH水平及FSH用量差异有显著性 (P <0 0 1,P <0 0 5 )。A组着床率、妊娠率分别为 18 9% (94 4 98)与 38 8% (6 2 16 0 ) ,C组分别为 2 0 7% (2 12 10 2 6 )与4 1 4 % (14 5 35 0 ) ,两组比较 ,差异无显著性 (P >0 0 5 ) ;B组分别为 2 2 5 % (10 3 4 5 7)与 4 6 6 % (6 9 14 8) ,D组分别为 19 0 % (2 0 3 10 6 7)与 38 1% (138 36 2 ) ,两组比较 ,差异无显著性 (P >0 0 5 )。卵巢过度刺激综合征 (OHSS)发生率 ,A组为 6 9% (11 16 0 ) ,C组为 2 6 % (9 35 0 ) ,B组为 8 1% (     

Use of serum inhibin B levels at the start of ovarian stimulation and at oocyte pickup in the prediction of assisted reproduction treatment outcome

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether serum inhibin B levels before gonadotropin administration and at oocyte pickup (OPU) are associated with pregnancy. DESIGN: Retrospective case-control study. SETTING: University-based IVF program. PATIENT(S): Fifty-five IVF pregnancies and 55 control cycles matched by age, type of infertility, E(2) at ovulation induction, number of oocytes retrieved, and number of embryos replaced. INTERVENTION(S): None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Association between serum inhibin B at stimulation day 1 (SD1) and OPU and pregnancy; correlation between inhibin B with clinical and endocrine parameters; predictive accuracy of inhibin B measurements at OPU. RESULT(S): Inhibin B on SD1 was similar between pregnant and nonpregnant subjects, whereas it was significantly higher at OPU in pregnant cycles, but did not allow differentiation between pregnancy outcomes. Inhibin B on SD1 was positively correlated with same-day E(2) in both groups and inversely with age in pregnant cycles. In both groups, inhibin B at OPU correlated positively with number of oocytes collected and with E(2) at ovulation induction. CONCLUSION(S): Higher inhibin B concentrations at OPU are predictive of clinical pregnancy, independently of age, peak E(2), number of oocytes retrieved and number of embryos replaced. Inhibin B on stimulation day 1 did not prove to be a useful predictor.