The Impact of Maternal Age on Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) Outcomes in Infertile Couples

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study is to investigate the impact of maternal age on ICSI outcomes represented
by the number of retrieved oocytes, number of fertilized oocytes, embryo quality and pregnancy rate in
infertile couples undergoing ICSI.
Patients and Method: The study included sixty two infertile couples who underwent ICSI cycles. They
divided in to two groups depending on females’ age: group ? with age less than 35 years and group ??
with age more than 35 years. Assessment of ICSI outcomes in form of retrieved oocytes number, fertilized
oocytes number, quality of embryo and rate of pregnancy were done and the results were compared between
both groups.
Results: The study showed that females whom their age more than 35 years produced significantly lower
oocytes number with a lower fertilized oocytes when compared with females younger than 35 years. (the
mean total number of retrieved oocytes 3.24±0.52 vs 10.84±0.81 and the mean total number of fertilized
oocytes 2.29±0.26 vs 7.62±0.52, p-value =0.002 and 0.02 respectively. The total number of good quality
embryos was significantly less in the females older than 35 years 1.12±0.18 vs 6.80±0.46, p-value=0.003
and the total number of bad quality embryos was significantly more 1.47±0.24 vs 0.60±0.1, p-value=0.02
when compared with females younger than 35 years. Pregnancy rate was significantly less in the older
females p-value=0.0005.
Conclusion: The maternal age is one of the most important predictor of ICSI outcomes. An advanced
females age has a negative impact on ICSI outcomes and females older than 35 years usually produced
lower number of oocytes during oocytes’ retrieval with a lower fertilization rate. Embryos produces from
those females usually of bad quality and exhibited a lower implantation potential.