The number of embryos available for transfer predicts successful pregnancyoutcome in women over 39 years with normal ovarian hormonal reserve testing

Purpose. The purpose was to determine whether the number of embryos availab le for transfer following IVF in women over age 39 predicted a successful p regnancy outcome. Methods. Retrospective analysis of 455 consecutive IVF cycles in women grea ter than or equal to 40 years of age. Results. Few cycles were canceled (29/455, 6.4%) or produced no embryos (5/ 455, 1.1%). Women 40-43 years of age with normal ovarian reserve had a sign ificantly greater delivery rate when greater than or equal to4 embryos were available for transfer than when <4 embryos were available (17.8% versus 2 .4%, P = 0.002). Subsequent IVF cycles, from women with normal FSH whose fi rst cycle produced <4 embryos, produced delivery rates of 13.0% when <great er than or equal to>4 embryos were available. Women with abnormal ovarian r eserve or age greater than or equal to 44 years had very low delivery rates (1.2% and 1.4% respectively). Conclusions. The number of embryos available for transfer significantly pre dicts delivery from IVF-ET among reproductively older women. Many women age 40-43 with normal ovarian reserve can achieve pregnancy through IVF