[Effect of women's weight on the success rate of in vitro fertilization].

OBJECTIVE

To examine the effect of women's weight on the success rate of in vitro fertilization.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Single centre retrospective study of a continuous series of 846 patients who underwent 1444 in vitro fertilization or ICSI cycles. The outcomes of each cycle was analysed as a function of the woman's body mass index (BMI). Three groups were defined: (1) underweight (BMI<18 kg/m2, n=68 cycles, 43 women), (2) normal BMI (18 < or =BMI<25, n=1045 cycles, 607 women), (3) overweight or obese women (IMC > or =25, n=331 cycles, 196 women).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENT

Live birth rate per cycle.

RESULTS

In group 3, the live birth rate per cycle (10,6% [95% confidence interval: 7,3-13,9]) was significantly lower than in group 2 (16,6% [14,3-18,8]). There was a non-significant trend towards a decreased live birth rate in group I (11,8% [4,1-19,4]). In group 3, the cancellation rate (30,8% [25,8-35,8]) was significantly greater than in group 2 (19,6% [17,2-22]), the pregnancy per oocyte pick-up rate was lower (19,9% versus 24,6%) and the early miscarriage rate was increased (26,9% versus 15,7%) without reaching statistical significance.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

The live birth rate was decreased among overweight or obese women. This could be mediated by impairment of response to ovarian stimulation, oocyte quality, or implantation abnomalies.