Effect of serum E2 levels on the pregnancy outcome of IVF-ET

Park, Sea Hee; Joo, Bo Sun; Song, Soo Jin; Kim, Kyung Sue; Moon, Sung Eun; Moon, Hwa Sook

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of serum E2 levels on the day of hCG administration on the pregnancy outcome of IVF-ET after controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH).
METHODS
Data of 455 cycles of fresh IVF-ET with COH were retrospectively investigated. Serum E2 levels on the day of hCG administration were categorized into 5 groups; A (<1,000 pg/mL), group B (1,000~2,000 pg/mL), group C (2,000~3,000 pg/mL), group D (3,000~4,000 pg/mL), and group E (> or =4,000 pg/mL).
RESULTS
Mean E2 levels on the day of hCG administration were 3,745.3 pg/mL and mean number of retrieved oocytes were 10.1. Of 455 cycles, 148 (32.5%) cycles were clinically pregnant. Implantation rate was 12.2% and delivery rate was 18.7%. The number of obtained oocytes increased with increasing levels of serum E2. Pregnancy rate gradually increased as E2 levels increased up to the group D, but began to fall in the group E. In younger women (<38 yrs), the IVF-ET outcomes were similar to those of total patients but in older women (> or =38 yrs), pregnancy rate and delivery rate were significantly higher in the group C than other groups.
CONCLUSIONS
This result shows that serum E2 levels have a concentration-dependent effect on the pregnancy outcome and there is an optimal range of E2 levels to achieve for a successful pregnancy. Excessive E2 levels seem more deleterious to the pregnancy outcome in older women aged > or =38 years.