Effect of a baseline ovarian cyst on the outcome of in vitro fertilizationembryo transfer

Objective: To determine the significance of prestimulation ovarian cysts on the response to controlled ovarian hyperstimulation and the outcome of IVF . Design: Retrospective study. Setting: In vitro fertilization unit in an academic center. Patient(s): One hundred thirty-seven patients undergoing IVF. Intervention(s): The outcome of 71 patients who had an ovarian cyst of >10 mm detected at ultrasound examination performed on day 3 was compared with that of 66 patients who underwent a similar protocol and did not have an ov arian cyst. Main Outcome Measure(s): Parameters evaluated were the E-2 level on the day of hCG administration, the number of follicles, the number of oocytes retr ieved, the number of embryos transferred, and the pregnancy rate. Result(s): The E2 level on the day of hCG administration and the number of mature oocytes retrieved were lower in the group with a baseline cyst. The pregnancy rate also was significantly lower in the group with a cyst (24% v ersus 41%). The presence of a baseline ovarian cyst decreases the odds of p regnancy 0.37-fold (95% confidence interval, 0.16-0.87). Conclusion(s): A baseline ovarian cyst on cycle day 3 was associated with a poorer outcome after IVF-ET, (Fertil Steril(R) 1999:71:274-7. (C) 1999 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.).