The incidence and clinical ramifications of PCO ovarian morphology in oocyte donors

To determine the relationship between PCO appearing ovaries and IVF outcome in oocyte donation cycles. Historical cohort. 164 ovum donation cycles from a private infertility practice were reviewed. Baseline donor and stimulation characteristics including age, antral follicle count (AFC), peak estradiol (E2), and gonadotropins used were recorded. 15 cycles were excluded due to cancellations or no recorded AFC. Oocyte donors were characterized as polycystic appearing ovaries (PCO) morphology if AFC was ≥12 on at least one of the ovaries. There were 113 and 36 patients in the normal and PCO groups respectively. Embryo data including oocytes retrieved, fertilization rate, blastulation rate and number of embryos frozen were analyzed. Implantation and clinical pregnancy rates (PR) were also recorded. Statistical analysis using t-test and chi square were performed. Patients with PCO appearing ovaries had significantly higher peak E2 values, required less gonadotropins and were more likely to require coasting. The average donor age and baseline FSH values between the two groups did not differ. Mean oocytes retrieved, indicators of embryo quality and clinical PR did not differ between the normal and PCO groups. IVF outcomes in PCO versus normal appearing ovariesTabled 1Normal OvariesPCO OvariesP valueNo. patients11336-Donor Age26 ± 325 ± 3nsFSH (IU)1684 ± 7141114 ± 488<0.05HMG (IU)699 ± 365490 ± 312<0.05Peak E2 (log)3.59 ± 0.293.68 ± 0.24<0.05Days Coasted0.45 ± 0.81 ± 1.6= 0.05Oocytes Retrieved17 ± 619 ± 7nsFertilization Rate (%)70 ± 1874 ± 19nsBlastulation Rate (%)58 ± 2465 ± 18nsEmbryos Frozen4.6 ± 46.3 ± 5.8nsClinical PR (%)6266nsImplantation Rate (%)4747ns Open table in a new tab Based on our results, donors with PCO morphology ovaries have equivalent pregnancy rates and do not need to be excluded as potential donors. Similar findings have been reported in fresh IVF cycles, however this is the first study to look at the impact of PCO morphology on ovum donors.