A Comprehensive Analysis of Body Mass Index Effect on in Vitro Fertilization Outcomes

Abstract

The effect of a raised body mass index (BMI) on the outcome of assisted reproduction technology (ART) still represents a controversial issue. Even less clear is whether BMI acts with a potential detrimental effect on IVF outcomes via a deleterious effect on innate quality of oocytes or on the environmental milieu within the uterus. With the aim to better understand the mechanisms underlying the potential deleterious effect of an increased BMI on IVF outcomes, we have evaluated the effects of female BMI on number and quality of retrieved oocytes, fertilization rate, embryo score and incidences of ongoing pregnancy and live births among couples undergoing IVF in an Italian population. Data from 1602 women who underwent their first IVF cycle were retrospectively analyzed. A significantly reduced percentage of mature oocytes when comparing obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) and normal-weight patients (BMI = 18.50–24.99 kg/m2) was found. After adjusting for maternal age and other confounders, odds for ongoing pregnancy rate showed no differences across different BMI categories. However, a significant increased odds ratio (OR) could be observed for miscarriage rate in patients with BMI ≥ 25 (OR = 2.5; p = 0.04). These results should be taken into account in order to define optimal strategies for overweight and obese patients referring to ART procedures.

Obesity and recurrent miscarriage: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…Obesity has been associated with a significantly higher risk of miscarriages (RR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.20–1.26) . These results are similar to those of other studies and meta‐analyses …”

Association analysis of body mass index on ovarian response and pregnancy outcomes during IVF / ICSI treatment: a retrospective study in Southern Han Chinese Women

“…This nding was consistent with previous studies, which reported that raised BMI has no adverse effect on clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate 20,[28] . In addition, our nding con rmed the previous investigations of an increased risk of spontaneous abortion in raised BMI women following treatment of ART [31][32][33]. The reasons for an increased risk of abortion among overweight / obese women are still not well understood.…”

Parameters impacting the live birth rate per transfer after frozen single euploid blastocyst transfer

“…Data on the potential effects of elevated BMI on fertility treatment outcomes are conflicting. Multiple studies have reported no significant adverse effects of elevated BMI on IVF outcomes [28][29][30][31][32]; however, others have found associations between elevated BMI and higher gonadotropin requirements, fewer oocytes collected, higher cancellation rates, reduced pregnancy and live birth rates, and higher miscarriage rates [33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45]. Whether obesity has a negative effect on implantation and postimplantation events and on oocyte and embryo quality remains uncertain.…”