The Influence of Female Infertility Causes on Fertilization in Vitro, Early Embryogenesis, and the Outcome of IVF Procedure

Background and Objectives: To clarify the influence of female infertility causes on fertilization in vitro analysis of 2,332 oocytes, 2,051 preimplantation embryos obtained in 247 treatment cycles of women suffering from different forms of infertility and under-going in vitro fertilization was performed. Methods: Fertilization rate, quality of fertilization, blastocyst formation, preimplantation development of embryos, achievement of pregnancy, and pregnancy outcome were evaluated in groups of women with tubalperitoneal infertility (used as a control), endometriosis, hyperprolactinemia, polycystic ovaries syndrome, luteal phase insufficiency, and idiopathic infertility. Results: Oocytes obtained from women with polycystic ovaries syndrome, endometriosis, and an idiopathic form of infertility showed more pronounced defects of fertilization, embryo quality and development, probably due to alterations in folliculogenesis leading to the formation of morphologically or genetically impaired oocytes. In contrast, hyperprolactinemia and luteal phase insufficiency were not associated with dramatic changes in embryo viability, suggesting another mechanism for the influence of these pathological conditions on early embryogenesis. Conclusions: Our data allow us to suggest that a predominant pathological process leading to female infertility makes an impact upon oocyte quality, fertilization rates, early embryogenesis, and the outcome of in vitro fertilization procedure