Total follicle stimulating hormone dose is negatively correlated with live births in a donor/recipient model with fresh transfer: an analysis of 8,627 cycles from the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology Registry

Fertil Steril. 2020 Sep;114(3):545-551. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2020.04.027. Epub 2020 Jun 17.

Abstract

Objective: Oocyte donation has optimized our understanding of ovarian stimulation. Increasing the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) dose has been shown to adversely affect live birth rates in autologous cycles. Our objective is to assess whether this relationship holds true within the donor/recipient population.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Not applicable.

Patients: Data from 2014-2016 included 8,627 fresh donor cycles.

Interventions: None.

Main outcome measures: Live birth, clinical pregnancy, and miscarriage rates.

Results: The mean donor age ± standard deviation (SD) was 25.8 ± 2.8 years. Donors underwent a median of 16 days (interquartile range [IQR] 12, 19) of stimulation with a median (IQR) total FSH dose and daily dose of 2,350.0 (1,800.0, 3,025.0) and 153.8 (113.2, 205.0) IU, respectively. The live birth rate was 56.7% per transfer. For every 500-unit increase in FSH dose, there was a 3% reduction in the odds of a live birth (odds ratio [OR] 0.97; 95% confidence interval 0.95, 0.99), and a 3% reduction in the odds of a clinical pregnancy (OR 0.97; 95% confidence interval 0.95, 0.99). Days of stimulation and average daily dose were not significantly associated with live birth or clinical pregnancy. No significant association was found between miscarriage rates and total FSH dose, days of stimulation, or average daily dose.

Conclusion: This is a novel report of a negative association of total FSH dosage on fresh IVF live births, performed in the donor population to control for oocyte source and endometrial receptivity.

Keywords: In vitro fertilization; gonadotropin dosage; live birth; oocyte donation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Abortion, Spontaneous / etiology
  • Adult
  • Embryo Transfer
  • Female
  • Fertility Agents, Female / administration & dosage
  • Fertility Agents, Female / adverse effects*
  • Fertilization in Vitro
  • Follicle Stimulating Hormone / administration & dosage
  • Follicle Stimulating Hormone / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Infertility / diagnosis
  • Infertility / physiopathology
  • Infertility / therapy*
  • Live Birth
  • Oocyte Donation*
  • Ovulation / drug effects*
  • Ovulation Induction* / adverse effects
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Rate
  • Registries
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Fertility Agents, Female
  • Follicle Stimulating Hormone