• M V Sauer, R J Paulson, B A Ary, and R A Lobo.
• Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Southern California School of Medicine, Los Angeles 90024.
• J. Assist. Reprod. Genet. 1994 Feb 1;11(2):92-6.

PurposeOur purpose was to evaluate the effect of age on endometrial receptivity and to compare success rates for oocyte donation among groups with differing primary diagnoses.DesignThis was a retrospective analysis of 300 consecutively attempted oocyte donation cycles.SettingThe setting was the in vitro fertilization program at the University of Southern California.MethodsRecipients were divided into groups according to age: Group I, < 30 years (n = 8); Group II, 30-39 years (n = 59); Group III, 40-49 years (n = 107); and Group IV, 50-59 years (n = 18). Additionally, indications for treatment were divided into Classes A-G according to a primary diagnosis given to each patient and included premature ovarian failure (n = 44), surgical castration (n = 9), genetic disease carrier (n = 12), transitional menopause (n = 27), natural menopause (n = 30), multiple IVF failures (n = 62), and postchemotherapy (n = 8). Recipients received oral micronized estradiol and intramuscular progesterone. Oocytes were donated by fertile young women utilizing ovarian hyperstimulation with menopausal gonadotropins.ResultsThere were no significant differences among groups or classes related to either the number of oocytes received or the number of embryos transferred per cycle. Rates for embryo implantation and resorption and the clinical and ongoing or delivered pregnancy rates were similarly not different among patients except for women who previously received chemotherapy, where a significantly elevated rate of spontaneous abortion was noted P < 0.05).ConclusionsThe establishment of pregnancy utilizing oocyte donation is not adversely affected by the chronological age of the recipient, inferring that the age-related decline in fertility is due primarily to oocyte aging, and not to loss of endometrial receptivity. Also, prior exposure to chemotherapy may alter endometrial integrity and lead to greater pregnancy wastage in women receiving donated embryos.

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