Impact of Body Mass Index on In Vitro Fertilization Outcomes

In: Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics · 2004 · vol. 21(6) , pp. 211–215 · doi:10.1023/b:jarg.0000040236.68523.6f · PMID:15526976 · PMC3455228 · W2066864469
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AI-generated summary by claude@2026-06+body, 2026-06-09

This retrospective study found that a BMI over 24 kg/m² correlated with more follicles, fewer gonadotropin ampules, and shorter stimulation days during IVF.

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This retrospective cohort study examined whether body mass index (BMI) affects in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes, using number of oocytes obtained as the main outcome and evaluating prestimulation parameters and ovarian response metrics around egg retrieval. The authors found no correlation between BMI and prestimulation parameters, but BMI was positively correlated with the number of follicles on ultrasound prior to egg retrieval, with a threshold effect at BMI > 24 kg/m2. In that group, there were more follicles after stimulation alongside reduced gonadotropin use and fewer stimulation days. The authors note a key limitation: correlation with actual oocyte and pregnancy rates may be restricted by insufficient statistical power. The paper does not explicitly discuss endometriosis or adenomyosis; it was included in the corpus via a keyword match in the upstream search index.

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Abstract

Purpose : To determine if body mass index (BMI) impacts IVF outcome.

Methods

Retrospective, cohort study. Main outcome measure was number of oocytes obtained.

Results

BMI did not correlate with the prestimulation parameters. There was a significant positive correlation between BMI and the number of follicles on ultrasound prior to egg retrieval. A threshold analysis revealed a significant change in parameters at a BMI > 24 kg/m2. Patients with BMI > 24 kg/m2 demonstrated a significant increase in the number of follicles after stimulation (p = 0.03) and a comparative decrease in the number ampules of gonadotropins used (p = 0.04) and days of stimulation required (p = 0.01).

Conclusion

These data demonstrated that an elevated BMI significantly correlates with the number of follicles, days of stimulation, and number of ampules of gonadotropins used. Further correlation to an actual increase in number of oocytes and pregnancy rates may be limited by insufficient power in this study. Similar content being viewed by others

References

Frankel HM, Staeheli JC: Calculating body mass index. Ann Intern Med 1992;117(8):698–699 Lewis CG, Warnes GM, Wang XJ, Matthews CD: Failure of body mass index or body weight to influence markedly the response to ovarian hyperstimulation in normal cycling women. Fertil Steril 1990;53:1097–1099 Tinkanen H, Blauer M, Laippala P, Tuohimaa P, Kujansuu E: Prognostic factors in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation. Fertil Steril 1999;72:932–936 Lashen H, Ledger W, Bernal AL, Barlow D: Extremes of body mass do not adversely affect the outcome of superovulation and in-vitro fertilization. Hum Reprod 1999;14:712–715 Loveland JB, McClamrock HD, Malinow AM, Sharara FI: Increased body mass index has a deleterious effect on in vitro fertilization outcome. J Assist Reprod Genet 2001;18:382–386 Wittemer C, Ohl J, Bailly M, Bettahar-Lebugle K, Nisand I: Does body mass index of infertile women have an impact on IVF procedure and outcome? J Assist Reprod Genet 2000;17:547–552 Wang JX, Davies M, Norman RJ: Body mass and probability of pregnancy during assisted reproduction treatment: retrospective study. BMJ 2000;321:1320–1321 Pearlstone AC, Fournet N, Gambone JC, Pang SC, Buyalos RP: Ovulation induction in women age 40 and older: The importance of basal follicle-stimulating hormone level and chronological age. Fertil Steril 1992;58:674–679 Scott RT, Toner JF, Muasher SJ, Oehninger SC, Robinson S, Rosenwaks Z: Follicle stimulating hormone levels on cycle day 3 are predictive of in vitro fertilization outcome. Fertil Steril 1989;51:651–654 Toner JP, Philput CB, Jones GS, Muasher SJ: Basal follicle stimulating hormone level is a better predictor of in vitro fertilization performance than age. Fertil Steril 1991;55:784–791 Droesch K, Muasher ST, Brzyski R, Jones SG, Simonetti S, Liu HCH, Rosenwaks Z: Value of suppression with a GnRHa prior to gonadotropin stimulation for in vitro fertilization. Fertil Steril 1989;51:292–295 Scott RT, Navot D: Enhancement of ovarian responsiveness with microdoses of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist during ovulation induction for in vitro fertilization. Fertil Steril 1994;61:880–885 Author information Authors and Affiliations Corresponding author Rights and permissions About this article Cite this article Frattarelli, J.L., Kodama, C.L. Impact of Body Mass Index on In Vitro Fertilization Outcomes. J Assist Reprod Genet 21, 211–215 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JARG.0000040236.68523.6f Issue date: DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JARG.0000040236.68523.6f

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