Association between decreased ovarian reserve and poor oocyte quality

Objective To analyze the association between oocyte quality and decreased ovarian reserve (DOR) markers in young women undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation (COS). Methods This retrospective study included 49 patients classified as having DOR based on anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels, or antral follicle counts (AFCs; <10). Images of all obtained oocytes were analyzed, and oocyte quality was classified according to maturity and morphology. The COS protocol utilized gonadotropin (FSH and/or human menopausal gonadotropin [ hMG]) doses ranging from 150 to 300 IU/day. The Student's t test or Mann-Whitney test was used to compare the groups. Spearman's coefficients were estimated to verify the correlation between the administered dose of FSH/hMG and the number of mature oocytes. To evaluate the association between patient- and oocyte-related variables, logistic regression models were adjusted. Results Women with DOR classified according to FSH level had more immature oocytes (P<0.001). Women with DOR according to AMH had fewer mature oocytes and increased basal FSH levels (P<0.001). Women with DOR according to AFC had an increased risk of abnormally shaped oocytes (P=0.035). Conclusion This study showed that DOR based on AMH levels, FSH levels, and AFC was associated with poorer quality oocytes in young women who underwent COS.