Effects of polycystic ovarian syndrome on in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer outcomes are influenced by body mass index.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) adversely impacts IVF-embryo transfer outcomes in obese compared to lean patients.

DESIGN: Retrospective chart review.

SETTING: University-affiliated infertility program.

PATIENT(S): Lean non-PCOS (n = 52), lean PCOS (n = 6), obese non-PCOS (n = 18), and obese PCOS (n = 10).

INTERVENTION(S): Ninety-four fresh nondonor IVF-embryo transfer cycles analyzed.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Cycle characteristics, clinical pregnancy (PR) and live birth rates.

RESULT(S): Lean PCOS had more dominant follicles (12.2 +/- 6.0 vs. 7.7 +/- 3.6), retrieved oocytes (22.2 +/- 9.2 vs. 12.6 +/- 5.8), and frozen embryos (5 +/- 4.6 vs. 1.4 +/- 2.6) than lean non-PCOS. Lean PCOS also used fewer gonadotropin ampules (18.8 +/- 6.0 vs. 29.2 +/- 14.2), but had more retrieved oocytes (22.2 +/- 9.2 vs.14.3 +/- 4.9) than obese PCOS. Obese non-PCOS had better-grade embryos (2.1 +/- 0.8 vs. 2.7 +/- 0.8) and fewer embryos transferred (2.4 +/- 0.6 vs. 2.9 +/- 0.6) than obese PCOS, but more embryos frozen than lean non-PCOS (3.2 +/- 3.2 vs. 1.4 +/- 2.6). Implantation rates trended downward in obese patients with PCOS, but no other differences were observed.

CONCLUSION(S): Patients with PCOS with a body mass index (BMI) in the lean rather than the obese range have more favorable assisted reproductive technology (ART) cycle characteristics but show no clinical outcome differences.