MOOD STATE AS A PREDICTOR OF TREATMENT OUTCOME AFTER IN-VITRO FERTILIZATION-EMBRYO TRANSFER TECHNOLOGY (IVF ET)/

The association between mood state and treatment outcome after In Vitr o Fertilization/Embryo Transfer (IVF/ET) was assessed in a prospective sample of 330 women, of whom 113 were first time participants (induct ees) and 217 were repeat cycle women (veterans). Initial evaluation of mood state indicated a significantly higher level of depression among st veterans than inductees and a significantly greater proportion of v eterans (25%) with clinically elevated depression scores compared with inductees (15%) and community norms (approx. 12%). Up to 12 months af ter initial assessment and after controlling for the number of treatme nt cycles, a significant difference was observed in the course of preg nancy over time between depressed and non-depressed women. Depressed w omen exhibited a lower pregnancy rate for the first treatment cycles t han non-depressed women. The results and their implications are discus sed.