Effect of a baseline ovarian cyst on the outcome of in vitro fertilization–embryo transfer

Objective: To determine the significance of prestimulation ovarian cysts on the response to controlled ovarian hyperstimulation and the outcome of IVF. Design: Retrospective study. Setting: In vitro fertilization unit in an academic center. Patient(s): One hundred thirty-seven patients undergoing IVF. Intervention(s): The outcome of 71 patients who had an ovarian cyst of >10 mm detected at ultrasound examination performed on day 3 was compared with that of 66 patients who underwent a similar protocol and did not have an ovarian cyst. Main Outcome Measure(s): Parameters evaluated were the E 2 level on the day of hCG administration, the number of follicles, the number of oocytes retrieved, the number of embryos transferred, and the pregnancy rate. Result(s): The E 2 level on the day of hCG administration and the number of mature oocytes retrieved were lower in the group with a baseline cyst. The pregnancy rate also was significantly lower in the group with a cyst (24% versus 41%). The presence of a baseline ovarian cyst decreases the odds of pregnancy 0.37-fold (95% confidence interval, 0.16–0.87). Conclusion(s): A baseline ovarian cyst on cycle day 3 was associated with a poorer outcome after IVF-ET.