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Increased body mass index negatively impacts blastocyst formation rate in normal responders undergoing in vitro fertilization

  • Reproductive Physiology and Disease
  • Published:
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of female BMI and metabolic dysfunction on blastocyst formation rate.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study that was performed in an academic center for reproductive medicine. Patients who were normal weight, overweight with metabolic dysfunction, or obese who had ≥6 oocytes retrieved in a fresh IVF cycle were included in the study. The blastocyst formation rate was calculated from the number of ≥5 cell embryos on day 3 observed in culture until day 5 or day 6. Only good quality blastocysts were included in the calculation as defined by a morphologic grade of 3BB or better.

Results

The blastocyst formation rate was significantly better in the normal-weight controls versus overweight/obese patients (57.2 versus 43.6 %, p < 0.007). There was no difference in blastocyst formation between the patients with a BMI 25–29.9 kg/m2 with metabolic dysfunction and those with a BMI ≥30 kg/m2.

Conclusion

The maternal metabolic environment has a significant impact on embryo quality as measured by blastocyst formation. A decreased blastocyst formation rate is likely a significant contributor to poorer reproductive outcomes in overweight and obese women with infertility.

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Ethical approval

“All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. For this type of study, formal consent is not required.”

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Obstetrics and Gynecology—Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Stanford Hospital and Clinics, 900 Welch Rd Ste 350 MC 5800, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA

    Ioanna A. Comstock, Barry Behr & Ruth B. Lathi

  2. Medical Endocrinology, Stanford Hospital and Clinics, 300 Pasteur Dr S025 MC 5103, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA

    Sun Kim

Authors
  1. Ioanna A. Comstock
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  2. Sun Kim
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  3. Barry Behr
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  4. Ruth B. Lathi
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ioanna A. Comstock.

Additional information

Capsule

Obesity is associated with an increased risk of infertility and a decreased response to assisted reproduction. Studies have shown lower clinical pregnancy rates, higher miscarriage rates, and decreased live birth rates in women with an elevated body mass index (BMI). This study demonstrates that the maternal metabolic environment has a significant impact on embryo quality as measured by blastocyst formation. Our findings suggest poorer blastocyst formation rates in overweight patients may contribute to the lower IVF success rate in this population. Obese women undergoing infertility treatment should be counseled regarding the negative impact that obesity has on IVF outcomes and encouraged to participate in weight loss programs to maximize their success rates.

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Comstock, I.A., Kim, S., Behr, B. et al. Increased body mass index negatively impacts blastocyst formation rate in normal responders undergoing in vitro fertilization. J Assist Reprod Genet 32, 1299–1304 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-015-0515-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-015-0515-1

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