Predictive factors for ovarian response in a corifollitropin alfa/GnRH antagonist protocol for controlled ovarian stimulation in IVF/ICSI cycles

Background This secondary analysis aimed to identify predictors of low (<6 oocytes retrieved) and high ovarian response (>18 oocytes retrieved) in IVF patients undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation with corifollitropin alfa in a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist protocol. Methods Statistical model building for high and low ovarian response was based on the 150 μg corifollitropin alfa treatment group of the Pursue trial in infertile women aged 35–42 years ( n = 694). Results Multivariable logistic regression models were constructed in a stepwise fashion ( P <0.05 for entry). 14.1 % of subjects were high ovarian responders and 23.2 % were low ovarian responders. The regression model for high ovarian response included four independent predictors: higher anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and antral follicle count (AFC) increased the risk, and higher follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels and advancing age decreased the risk of high ovarian response. The regression model for low ovarian response also included four independent predictors: advancing age increased the risk, and higher AMH, higher AFC and longer menstrual cycle length decreased the risk of low ovarian response. Conclusions AMH, AFC and age predicted both high and low ovarian responses, FSH predicted high ovarian response, and menstrual cycle length predicted low ovarian response in a corifollitropin alfa/GnRH antagonist protocol. Trial registration number NCT01144416 , Protocol P06029