Impact of overweight and underweight on IVF treatment in Chinese women

Abstract

Objective. To investigate the effects of body mass index (BMI) on ovarian stimulation and the outcome of IVF or ICSI treatment in Asian population who have different characteristics of BMI from white people.

Design. In this retrospective study, the first fresh cycles of 1107 Chinese women were classified by BMI: underweight (BMI <18.5 kg/m²), normal weight (BMI: 18.5–23.9 kg/m²) and overweight (BMI ≥ 24 kg/m²). Dose and days of ovarian simulation, cancelled cycles and number of oocytes collected, fertilisation and embryo utilisation rates and pregnancy outcome were compared among BMI groups.

Results. It showed that overweight women required more ampoules of gonadotrophin (P = 0.002) and had lower peak oestradiol concentration (P = 0.001), increased cycle cancellation due to insufficient follicle development (P = 0.018) and a higher miscarriage rate (10.5 vs. 5.4%, P = 0.018, OR = 2.006 (95% CI: 1.09–3.69, P = 0.025)) compared with normal weight women. However, no differences were found in clinical pregnancy and live-birth rates. Underweight compared with normal weight women showed no differences in ovarian stimulation and IVF outcome although the clinical pregnancy rate was lower (31.1 vs. 37.3%).

Conclusion. At a lower cutoff point of BMI in Chinese women, overweight is associated with increased miscarriage risks and impaired response to ovarian stimulation after IVF and ICSI.

Keywords:

• Body mass index
• IVF
• ovarian response
• miscarriage
• Asian population

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.