Jh. Check et al., COMPARISON OF THE CUMULATIVE PROBABILITY OF PREGNANCY AFTER IN-VITRO FERTILIZATION-EMBRYO TRANSFER BY INFERTILITY FACTOR AND AGE, Fertility and sterility, 61(2), 1994, pp. 257-261
Objective: To compare the cumulative probability of pregnancy after mu
ltiple IVF cycles by age and cause of infertility. Design: A prospecti
ve study was done in which patients were followed from the time they r
egistered for their first IVF cycle until they achieved a clinical pre
gnancy, withdrew from treatment, or study was terminated. Patients, Se
tting, Treatments: Infertile women undergoing IVF-ET at the Cooper Ins
titute for In Vitro Fertilization were enrolled in this study if the l
uteal phase leuprolide acetate (LA) and hMG controlled ovarian hyperst
imulation (COH) regimen was used. Main Outcome Measures: Clinical preg
nancy, as determined by a positive beta-hCG level and ultrasonographic
confirmation of a gestational sac, and delivery rates based on number
of women with live births were compared by infertility factor and age
. Results: The 3-month cumulative probability of pregnancy based on li
fe table analysis was 33% in women with tubal factor who were less tha
n or equal to 35 years of age, 25% in women with tubal factor who were
>35 years of age, 30% for women with multiple factors who were less t
han or equal to 35 years of age, and 14% for women with multiple facto
rs who were >35 years of age. The rate for the older women with multip
le factors was significantly lower than that for the other groups. The
delivery rates were lower for the women with multiple factors than fo
r women under 35 with tubal factor only. Conclusions: There is a signi
ficant effect of age and infertility factor on pregnancy and delivery
rates. Physicians should consider these factors in evaluating their pa
tients' prospects for success in IVF-ET.