OBJECTIVETo study the clinical features and outcomes of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) in infertile patients due to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or polycystic ovaries (PCO).

METHODSThis study involved 189 infertile patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), with 129 polycystic ovaries (PCO), and 142 without PCOS or PCO (control) undergoing IVF-ET. The dosage of gonadotrophin (Gn), sex hormone level on the day of HCG administration, clinical pregnancy rate, spontaneous abortion rate and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) rate were analyzed and compared between the 3 groups.

RESULTSNo significant differences were found in the clinical pregnancy rate between the PCOS group (202 cycles), PCO group (134 cycles) and control group (150 cycles) (51.0%, 53.0% and 46.0%, respectively). The levels of LH and T and early spontaneous abortion rates were significantly higher in PCOS group than in PCO group and control group (P<0.05). The P level on HCG day was the highest in PCO group (P<0.05). The early spontaneous abortion rates and clinical pregnancy rate showed no significant differences between PCO group and control group (P>0.05). The dosage of Gn was significantly lower and OHSS rate higher in PCOS and PCO groups than in the control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe clinical pregnancy rate of infertile patients with PCOS is similar with that of PCO patients and control patients undergoing IVF-ET treatment. PCOS, however, is associated with increased spontaneous abortion rate, possibly due to abnormality of LH and T release. The clinical outcomes in PCO patients are similar with those in the control patients, and elevated P level in the late follicular phase does not obviously influence the outcomes of IVF. Both PCOS and PCO are associated with increased risk of OHSS.