The Impact of Maternal Age on Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) Outcomes in Infertile Couples

Abstract

Objective:The aim of the study is to investigate the impact of maternal age on ICSI outcomes represented by the number of retrieved oocytes, number of fertilized oocytes, embryo quality and pregnancy rate in infertile couples undergoing ICSI. Patients and Method:The study included sixty two infertile couples who underwent ICSI cycles. They divided in to two groups depending on females' age: group Ι with age less than 35 years and group ΙΙ with age more than 35 years. Assessment of ICSI outcomes in form of retrieved oocytes number, fertilized oocytes number, quality of embryo and rate of pregnancy were done and the results were compared between both groups. Results:The study showed that females whom their age more than 35 years produced significantly lower oocytes number with a lower fertilized oocytes when compared with females younger than 35 years. (the mean total number of retrieved oocytes 3.24±0.52 vs 10.84±0.81 and the mean total number of fertilized oocytes 2.29±0.26 vs 7.62±0.52, p-value =0.002 and 0.02 respectively. The total number of good quality embryos was significantly less in the females older than 35 years 1.12±0.18 vs 6.80±0.46, p-value=0.003 and the total number of bad quality embryos was significantly more 1.47±0.24 vs 0.60±0.1, p-value=0.02 when compared with females younger than 35 years. Pregnancy rate was significantly less in the older females p-value=0.0005. Conclusion:The maternal age is one of the most important predictor of ICSI outcomes. An advanced females age has a negative impact on ICSI outcomes and females older than 35 years usually produced lower number of oocytes during oocytes' retrieval with a lower fertilization rate. Embryos produces from those females usually of bad quality and exhibited a lower implantation potential.

Follicular fluid 8-Hydroxy-2-Deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) as biomarker for oxidative stress in intracytoplasmic sperm injection

“…Our study showed a significant negative correlation between maternal age and the number of collected mature oocytes (MII). This finding agrees with previous studies that mentioned a significant reduction in the number and quality of collected oocytes with increased age of the female partner (20,21). However, the level of 8-OHdG in our study had significant negative correlation with the number of mature oocytes from one side and in significant positive correlation with increased maternal age on the other side, so this could be an explination why is the negative impact of maternal age on the quality and number of the oocyte.…”

The Prediction of IVF Outcomes with Autologous Oocytes and the Optimal MII Oocyte/Embryo Number for Live Birth at Advanced Maternal Age

“…The loss of mitochondrial activity in oocytes obtained from AMA women undergoing IVF could lead to slower cell divisions that affect embryonic development and impair pregnancy rates [46]. Embryos produced from these oocytes are usually of poor quality and exhibit lower implantation potential [47]. This study found no significant difference in embryo quality between older and younger patients, but a statistical difference in the number of developed embryos was detected between younger and older age groups.…”