Investigation of the infertility structure and outcomes of ART programs in patients of late reproductive age

Purpose: comparative study of the structure of infertility and outcomes of ART programs among patients of different age groups. Materials and methods: the case histories of 180 patients with infertility were studied: Group I ≥ 35 years old; Group II <35 years old. Laboratory and immunohistochemical studies were carried out, and the outcomes of ART were assessed. Results: in group I, a shortened menstrual cycle was determined in comparison with group II (27,15 ± 3,39 days vs 29,57 ± 2,38 days, p = 0,001). Also, in group I, the following were more often found: inflammatory diseases (p = 0,05); history of unilateral tubectomy (p = 0,019); increased FSH levels (9,73 ± 2,43 vs 8,74 ± 2,50); decrease in the concentration of LH, progesterone, AMH (p <0,05). In the cells of the aspirate of the uterine cavity in patients of group I, there was an increased content of progesterone receptors and a decreased concentration of estrogen receptors (p <0,05). Patients of group I received a smaller number of oocytes (8,34 ± 3,51 vs 10,78 ± 4,37) and quality embryos by the 5th day of cultivation (82,7% vs 87,97%; p <0,05). The number of pregnancies in groups I and II was 22,22% and 36,67%, respectively, and live births – 14,44% and 27,78% (p <0,05). Patients who gave birth had increased progesterone levels, greater endometrial thickness, more oocytes with transvaginal puncture, and high-quality embryos. Conclusion: the factors that reduce fertility were: genital pathology, inhibition of ovarian function, depletion of the follicular reserve. Fewer live births are associated with defects in embryonic and implantation factors.