Age-related pregnancy rates in GIFT patients.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Fecundity and fertility decline with increasing age beginning as early as age 30 and decrease more precipitously after age 40. The purpose of this study was to determine if pregnancy rates of patients attempting gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) are lower for women between the ages of 35 and 40. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed to assess the age-specific pregnancy rates for patients in our GIFT program. We report the results of GIFT at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and the National Naval Medical Center during the period from July 1, 1994, to July 1, 1995. RESULTS: Fifty-six women aged 21 to 39 underwent one to three cycles of gamete intrafallopian transfer. The 72 tubal transfers performed resulted in 25 pregnancies (34.7% pregnancy rate per transfer). CONCLUSIONS: In this series, pregnancy rates did not differ significantly in women older than 35 years versus women younger than 35 years. The number of eggs collected decreased significantly with increasing age but was not significantly different between pregnant and nonpregnant patients. Previous reports demonstrate a clear decline in fertility and poor pregnancy rates with assisted reproductive technology in older women. We did not find age-related differences in pregnancy rates among women younger than 40 years undergoing GIFT during the period studied.