The prognostic value of age and follicle-stimulating hormone levels in women over forty years of age undergoing in vitro fertilization

Purpose: Basal follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and age are predictors of successful outcome in in vitro fertilization (IVF). More recently, the clomiphene citrate challenge test (CCCT) has been proposed as a better way to predict IVF outcome than FSH alone. The purpose of this study uas to determine which indicator of ovarian reserve-basal (day 3) FSH or the CCCT-is the better predictor of NF success in the critical age group of women over the age of 40. Methods: In this retrospective study, basal FSH and clomiphene-stimulated FSH levels from 104 women Lt ho underwent 175 cycles of IVF were analyzed. Results: Neither basal FSH level nor stimulated FSH level alone were statistically significant predictors of IVF success, however: no patient with a day 3 FSH level >11.1 mIU/ml or a stimulated day 10 FSH level >13.5 mIU/ml conceived and carried a pregnancy All ongoing pregnancies occurred in the first two cycles of IVF. Conclusions: Clear prognostic cutoff values were found to predict IVF success in women over age 40, IVF programs should consider limiting the number of cycles of NF in women above age 40.