In vitro fertilization and oocyte donation in women 45 years of age and older.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the reproductive potential in women > or = 45 years of age. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. SETTING: In vitro fertilization-embryo transfer unit, standard IVF and oocyte donation programs. PATIENTS: One hundred twenty-seven patients > or = 45 years old who applied for treatment of infertility. INTERVENTION: Thirty-one patients underwent 52 treatment cycles in standard IVF. Ninety-six patients underwent 220 oocyte donation cycles. RESULTS: Of the 52 standard IVF cycles, oocytes were retrieved successfully in only 32. Of these, fertilization and ET were performed in 21 cycles. None of these treatment cycles resulted in a clinical pregnancy. Of the 220 oocyte donation cycles, fertilization and ET were accomplished in 189 cycles. These resulted in 33 (17.5% per transfer) clinical pregnancies. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that oocyte donation may extend the reproductive potential in women > or = 45 years old when little hope is offered by standard IVF.