Pregnancy: Oocyte donation in menopausal women

Oocyte donation was performed by in-vitro fertilization andembryo transfer in 82 women. The average age of the patientswas 48 years (range 26–60), and 71 were over 40 yearsold, with an average follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) valueof 74±14 IU and oestradiol concentration of 30 ±9 pg/ml. Overall 32 clinical pregnancies were achieved, of which21 reached term, three are ongoing, and eight were lost (sixmiscarriages, one abruptio placentae, and one severe gestationalproteinuria hypertension in the second trimester). The 21 termpregnancies produced 26 newborns; one patient who had had threeembryos replaced delivered triplets and three patients had twins.Before the embryo transfer was performed, the endometrium thicknesswas accurately determined by vaginal ultrasound probe. The highestnumber of implanted embryos was reached when the endometriumthickness was 9–12 mm.