THE INFLUENCE OF ADVANCED AGE ON THE OUTCOME OF ASSISTED REPRODUCTION

Purpose: Our purpose was to determine the influence of age on the outc ome of assisted reproduction, with particular interest in women aged 4 0 years or older. Methods: A retrospective review of the 779 patients enrolled in the Royal Hospital for Women Fertility Group fertility pro gram between 1987 and 1994 was performed. The results for women aged 4 0 years or older were compared with those for women between 36 and 39 years and those younger than 36 years. The main outcome measures were pregnancy rate, pregnancy outcome, fertilization rare, and ovarian res ponse. Results: Compared with those in younger women, pregnancy rate, pregnancy outcome, fertilization rate, and ovarian response to control led ovarian stimulation were significantly worse in women aged 40 year s or older. Conclusions: The outcome of assisted reproduction in women of 40 years of age or older was extremely poor Compared with those in younger women, pregnancy outcome and ovarian response to controlled o varian stimulation were significantly worse in women of 40 years or mo re.