Evaluation of the relationship between serum TSH levels and pregnancy outcomes of IVF/ICSI patients in follicular phase long-acting long protocol

ObjectiveTo investigate whether TSH levels are associated with the pregnancy outcomes of patients in the follicular phase long-acting long protocol of IVF/ICSI.MethodsThis was a single-central, retrospective study which was conducted in the Reproductive Medicine Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from February 2019 to April 2021. A total number of 773 patients underwent the follicular phase long-acting long protocol during in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment were divided into Group A (0.5 mIU/L ≤ TSH ≤2.5 mIU/L, n = 463) and Group B (2.5 mIU/L < TSH≤ 4.5 mIU/L, n = 310) according to their serum TSH levels. The clinical data and pregnancy outcomes were compared between the two groups. The possible relationship between TSH levels and pregnancy outcomes in people who performed follicular phase long-acting long protocol was investigated.ResultsThe proportion of patients with infertility due to ovulation disorders was significantly greater in Group B than in Group A (p = 0.036). The duration of Gn of Group B was significantly longer than that of Group A (p = 0.001). The Gn dose of Group B was significantly larger than that of Group A (p = 0.002). Besides, the implantation rate and miscarriage rate of embryos transferred on D3 were significantly higher in Group B than that of Group A (p = 0.033, p = 0.026 respectively).ConclusionsThe higher implantation and miscarriage rates of D3 of IVF/ICSI in the follicular phase long-acting long protocol may be related to higher serum TSH levels.