Impact of high basal FSH/LH ratio in women with normal FSH levels on in vitro fertilization outcomes

Abstract

Basal luteinizing hormone (LH) levels have also been suggested to impact on ovarian responsiveness as well as basal follicular stimulating hormone (FSH) levels. The aim of this study was to compare the in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes according to cycle day 3 FSH/LH ratio and to assess the proper stimulation protocol between gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist and GnRH antagonist protocols. The retrospective cohort study recruited a total of 1211 women having the laboratory values of FSH (<10 IU/L) and LH within 3 months before IVF. Patients were treated with GnRH agonist long or GnRH antagonist protocols and stimulated with recombinant FSH (rFSH). The number of total retrieved oocytes and mature oocytes, implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate and ongoing pregnancy rate were analyzed between groups: Group I: FSH/LH < 2 and Group II: FSH/LH ≥ 2. The Group II had the small number of retrieved oocytes and mature oocytes compared to the Group I (p = 0.000). Clinical and ongoing pregnancy rate were lower in Group II (p = 0.006, 0.006, respectively). In comparison of each protocol within groups, Group II showed significantly low pregnancy rate when GnRH antagonist was administered. In women with normal FSH level, high day 3 FSH/LH ratio can present subclinically low ovarian reserve and be predictive of lower pregnancy outcomes in fresh IVF cycles, and the choice of GnRH agonist can be related to favorable IVF outcomes.

• FSH/LH ratioIVF
• ovarian reserve
• pregnancy rate