Age is the Best Marker to Predict Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection Cycles Outcome

Aims: To assess the ovarian reserve for subpopulations of Iraqi infertile couples seeking Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) treatment. 2. To evaluate the effectiveness of ovarian reserve markers in predicting the response to Controlled Ovarian Stimulation and Intra cytoplasmic sperm injection cycles outcome.
Study Design: A prospective observational controlled trial.
Patients and Methods: Eighty -seven participants were enrolled during their attendance to the fertility center of Al-Sadar Medical Teaching city. Twenty subjects as a control group (N=20), and 67 as a study group (N=67). Ovarian reserve parameters were assessed and ICSI were performed. The female were divided into two groups: Those under 35 years of age and those above 35 years of age. They were compared for: Number (No.) of follicles obtained, No. of mature oocytes, Fertilization rate, Cleavage rate, Embryo scoring, No. of embryo transferred and Pregnancy rate (biochemical pregnancy).
Results: The old age group has significantly higher serum follicle stimulating hormone and body mass index while they have significantly lower anti mullerian hormone than the younger age group. The ICSI outcome parameters regarding No. of oocyte, No. of mature oocytes, fertilization rate, cleavage rate, No. of best quality embryos, and no. of embryo transferred and pregnancy rate were significantly lower in old age group.
Conclusion: Age is strongly associated with ovarian response and it provides the most powerful basal estimate for ICSI outcome.