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Published in: Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics 4/2014

01-04-2014 | Assisted Reproduction Technologies

Low testosterone levels in women with diminished ovarian reserve impair embryo implantation rate: a retrospective case-control study

Authors: Qun Lu, Huan Shen, Yang Li, Chunfang Zhang, Cong Wang, Xi Chen, Rong Liang, Lihui Wei

Published in: Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics | Issue 4/2014

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Abstract

Objective

To investigate the association of basal testosterone (T) levels with the outcome of in vitro fertilization (IVF) in women with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR).

Methods

Complete clinical data on the first 223 IVF cycles in women with DOR were retrospectively analyzed. The associations of basal follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, estradiol, and T levels with ovarian response and IVF outcome were studied.

Results

Basal T levels were significantly different between pregnant and non-pregnant women. However, basal T levels showed no correlation with controlled ovarian hyperstimulation parameters after adjusting for age. The association of basal T levels with pregnancy rate was significant after adjusting for other impact factors. Using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, the basal T level of 1.115 nmol/L for predicting pregnancy outcome had a sensitivity of 82.80 % and specificity of 58.09 %. The women were divided into two groups based on this value; although the clinical characteristics and ovarian stimulation parameters were similar, the clinical pregnancy (16.18 % (11/68) vs. 40.15 % (53/132), respectively, p = 0.000) and implantation rates (10.07 % (15/149) vs. 22.41 % (65/290), respectively, p = 0.002) were significantly different in the low and high T level groups.

Conclusion

In women with DOR, the basal T level presented a positive association with pregnancy outcome in IVF. The poor reproductive outcome observed in women with lower basal T levels may be due to the decreased implantation rate.
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Metadata
Title
Low testosterone levels in women with diminished ovarian reserve impair embryo implantation rate: a retrospective case-control study
Authors
Qun Lu
Huan Shen
Yang Li
Chunfang Zhang
Cong Wang
Xi Chen
Rong Liang
Lihui Wei
Publication date
01-04-2014
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics / Issue 4/2014
Print ISSN: 1058-0468
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7330
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-014-0186-3

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