Ovarian reserve and pregnancy prognosis in in vitro fertilization

Abstract

Introduction: The woman’s age and ovarian reserve are the most important factors
in fertility treatment. Ovarian reserve can be calculated through antral follicle count
(AFC) with vaginal ultrasound, providing valuable information on the pregnancy
prognosis in assisted reproduction. Objective: To define the significance of AFC in the
pregnancy prognosis in in vitro fertilization. Methods: Retrospective observational
study in which the clinical records of 508 infertile patients who underwent in vitro
fertilization at the Centro de Fertilidad y Ginecología del Sur from December 2005 to
April 2024 were reviewed. The clinical pregnancy rate in women with AFC ≥ 5 and in
those with AFC < 5 is analyzed and compared with the differences found according
to age. Results: The clinical pregnancy rate in women with AFC ≥ 5 was 35.2%, while it
was 14.3% in women with AFC < 5 (p = 0.0236), and was 41.9% in patients < 35 years
and 27.2% in those ≥ 35 years (p = 0.0005). Differences in clinical pregnancy rate are
more transcendent when considering AFC rather than age (Odds Ratio: 3.3 versus
1.9, respectively). Conclusions: Patients with AFC < 5 have three times lower clinical
pregnancy rate in IVF than those with greater ovarian reserve.