Impact of ovarian reserve markers on oocyte maturity and embryological outcomes in in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles: A retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE

Despite advances in assisted reproductive technologies, predicting outcomes of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) remains difficult. Hormonal status, oocyte maturity, and ovarian reserve contribute to treatment variability. This study examined correlations among demographic, endocrine, and embryological parameters in women undergoing IVF and ICSI whose partners had normal semen profiles, and evaluated the effect of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels on outcomes.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed on 488 women aged 18 to 45 years who underwent IVF and ICSI between 2022 and 2024. Data included age, body mass index (BMI), infertility duration, and levels of FSH, luteinizing hormone, anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), thyroid-stimulating hormone, and fasting blood sugar. Embryological variables were oocyte yield, maturity stages (germinal vesicle, metaphase I, and metaphase II [MII]), and embryo count. Pearson correlations and the Kruskal-Wallis test were used to compare groups stratified by FSH (<10, 10-20, >20 mIU/mL).

RESULTS

BMI and infertility duration showed weak correlations with embryological outcomes. AMH correlated positively with embryo count (r=0.29, p<0.01). MII oocytes correlated strongly with oocyte yield (r=0.90, p<0.01) and moderately with embryo count (r=0.46, p<0.01). Women with FSH <10 mIU/mL had significantly higher oocyte yield, MII oocyte numbers, and embryo counts than those with FSH ≥10 mIU/mL (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Lower FSH and higher AMH are associated with better oocyte maturity and embryo yield. These markers may support individualized stimulation strategies to improve IVF and ICSI outcomes.