Age does not affect uterine resistance to vascular flow in patients undergoing oocyte donation.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether uterine vasculature is affected by age using oocyte donation as an in vivo model.

DESIGN

Prospective longitudinal study in which recipients were grouped according to age. They underwent a successful oocyte donation cycle, and single pregnancies were followed during the first trimester by color Doppler ultrasound in uterine arteries.

SETTING

Oocyte donation and IVF program at the Instituto Valenciano de Infertilidad.

INTERVENTIONS

Serum E2, P, and hCG levels in single ovum donation pregnancies; pulsatility and resistance indexes in uterine arteries during initial pregnancy.

RESULTS

Similar serum levels of E2, P, and hCG in both groups of patients were observed. There was no difference between groups regarding the flow indexes analyzed.

CONCLUSIONS

The increased incidence of early pregnancy losses observed in patients > 40 years cannot be attributed to defective response of uterine vasculature to exogenous hormone replacement. Thus, uterine aging does not appear to be a factor influencing the poor reproductive performance of women with advancing age.