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Donor TSH level is associated with clinical pregnancy among oocyte donation cycles

  • Assisted Reproduction Technologies
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the association between donor TSH level (independent of recipient TSH level) and recipient pregnancy outcome among fresh donor oocyte IVF cycles.

Methods

This is a retrospective cohort study investigating 232 consecutive fresh donor-recipient cycles (200 total oocyte donors) at an academic medical center. Main outcome measures include clinical pregnancy and live birth.

Results

Cycles were categorized into two groups based on donor TSH level (< 2.5 and ≥ 2.5 mIU/L). After controlling for multiple donor and recipient characteristics, the probability of clinical pregnancy was significantly lower among donors with TSH levels ≥2.5 mIU/L compared to those with TSH values <2.5 mIU/L (43.1 %, 95 % CI 28.5–58.9, versus 66.7 %, 95 % CI 58.6–73.9, respectively, p = 0.01). The difference in live birth rates between the two groups did not achieve statistical significance (43.1 %, 95 % CI 28.8–58.6, versus 58.0 %, 95 % CI 50.0–65.6, respectively, p = 0.09).

Conclusions

Donor TSH level, independent of recipient TSH level, is associated with recipient clinical pregnancy. These findings suggest that thyroid function may impact the likelihood of pregnancy at the level of the oocyte.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to express our gratitude to the Deborah Kelly Center for Outcomes Research of the Vincent Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital for the generous support of this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Vincent Reproductive Medicine and IVF, Vincent Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Yawkey 10A 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA

    Anatte E. Karmon, Eden R. Cardozo, Irene Souter, Julie Gold, John C. Petrozza & Aaron K. Styer

  2. Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA

    Anatte E. Karmon, Eden R. Cardozo, Irene Souter, John C. Petrozza & Aaron K. Styer

Authors
  1. Anatte E. Karmon
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  2. Eden R. Cardozo
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  3. Irene Souter
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  4. Julie Gold
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  5. John C. Petrozza
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  6. Aaron K. Styer
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Anatte E. Karmon.

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The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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Capsule These findings suggest that thyroid function may impact the likelihood of pregnancy at the level of the oocyte.

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Karmon, A.E., Cardozo, E.R., Souter, I. et al. Donor TSH level is associated with clinical pregnancy among oocyte donation cycles. J Assist Reprod Genet 33, 489–494 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-016-0668-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-016-0668-6

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