COMPARISON OF THE CUMULATIVE PROBABILITY OF PREGNANCY AFTER IN-VITRO FERTILIZATION-EMBRYO TRANSFER BY INFERTILITY FACTOR AND AGE

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.