Elevated basal FSH levels, if it is under 15 IU/L, will not reflect poor ART outcomes

PURPOSE: For this study, the impact of basal FSH levels on ART outcomes was assessed. METHODS: From June 2003 to May 2006, 191 ART cycles were performed in our hospital. All cases were treated with GnRH-a long protocol. The patients were classified according to their basal FSH level as follows: group A: FSH <10 IU/l, group B: 10 <or= FSH <15 IU/l, and group C: 15 IU/l <or= FSH. ART outcomes were compared among the three groups. RESULTS: The number of retrieved oocytes in group A was significantly higher than in group B, but fertilized oocytes and the pregnancy rates were comparable. The pregnancy rate in group C was not significantly lower than those found in either group A or B, but the trend was lower. CONCLUSION: Oocytes retrieved from the patients who showed basal FSH levels below 15 IU/l were found to possess significant pregnancy potential.