IVF outcomes in obese donor oocyte recipients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Does obesity influence the chance of pregnancy after IVF in donor oocyte recipients? The chance of pregnancy after IVF is no different in obese donor oocyte recipients versus those in the normal BMI range. Obesity is associated with decreased chances of pregnancy in women undergoing IVF with autologous oocytes. Prior studies have investigated the impact of obesity on IVF outcomes in donor oocyte recipients, with disparate results. This is the first systematic review and meta-analysis to address this topic. A systematic review and meta-analysis of published literature identified in Medline, EMBASE and Scopus through December of 2011 were performed to address the association between BMI and outcomes for donor oocyte recipients. The primary outcome of this study was implantation. Two authors conducted the searches independently, selected the studies and abstracted the data. Studies in English of first donor oocyte cycles with reported recipient BMI were included. Primary data collected from the IVF program at Washington University were also included as one study (n 123 donor oocyte recipients). Studies limited to frozen embryo transfer were excluded. Data were synthesized using DerSimonianLaird random effects models for implantation, clinical pregnancy, miscarriage and live birth. Of 475 screened articles, 7 were reviewed and 5 were included together with primary data from Washington University, giving a total of 4758 women who were included for the assessment of the primary outcome. No associations between obesity (BMI 30 kg/m(2)) and chance of pregnancy after IVF were noted in women using donor oocytes [risk ratio (RR): 0.98, 95 confidence intervals (CI): 0.831.15, I-2: 61.6]. Additional analyses assessing associations between recipient obesity and embryo implantation (RR: 0.93, 95 CI: 0.801.07, I-2: 0), miscarriage (RR: 1.12, 95 CI: 0.831.50, I-2: 0) and live birth (RR: 0.91, 95 CI: 0.651.27, I-2 47.9) also failed to show a negative effect. Included studies were small and they were performed in a variety of locations and practice settings where stimulation and laboratory protocols may differ, and extremes of BMI may also differ. Furthermore, included studies had different inclusion and exclusion criteria. These factors could not be controlled for in this meta-analysis and statistical heterogeneity was noted for some outcomes. These data suggest obesity does not affect IVF outcomes in women using donor oocytes. Oocyte quality rather than endometrial receptivity may be the overriding factor influencing IVF outcomes in obese women using autologous oocytes. E.S.J. and M.G.T receive support from the Womens Reproductive Health Research Program sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (K12 HD063086). The authors do not have any competing interests. N/A.