The influence of body weight on response to ovulation induction with gonadotrophins in 335 women with World Health Organization group II anovulatory infertility.

Balen, A. H.; Platteau, P.; Andersen, A. N.; Devroey, P.; Sørensen, P.; Helmgaard, L.; Arce, J.-C.

Objective To assess the influence of body weight on the outcome of ovulation induction in women with World Health Organization (WHO) group II anovulatory infertility. Design The combined results of two studies in which either a highly purified urinary follicle-stimulating hormone or highly purified urinary menotrophin were compared with recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone. Setting Thirty-six fertility clinics. Population A total of 335 women with WHO group II anovulatory infertility failing to ovulate or conceive on clomifene citrate. Methods Ovarian stimulation using a low-dose step-up protocol. Main outcome measures The effects of body weight on ovarian response, ovulation rate and pregnancy rate after one treatment cycle. Results With increasing body mass index (BMI), a higher threshold dose of gonadotrophins was required and there were more days of stimulation; yet, despite a greater concentration of antral follicles, there were fewer intermediate and large follicles. There was no difference in the rates of ovulation and clinical pregnancy in relation to body weight. Conclusions Body weight affects gonadotrophin requirements but not overall outcome of ovulation induction in women with anovulatory polycystic ovary syndrome and a BMI of less than 35 kg/m2.

BODY weight; OVULATION; MENSTRUAL cycle; FEMALE infertility; ANOVULATION; OVARIAN diseases; POLYCYSTIC ovary syndrome

BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 2006, Vol 113, Issue 10, p1195

1470-0328

Academic Journal

10.1111/j.1471-0528.2006.01034.x