Hypothyroidism in an assisted reproductive technologies (ART) population: is ovarian function affected?

PASCUALI NATALIA; SCOTTI LEOPOLDINA; OUBIÑA ALEJANDRO; HERRERO YAMILA; PEREZ OLGIATTI MARTINA; MAIDANA JIMENA; ABRAMOVICH DALHIA; PARBORELL FERNANDA

Congreso; LXIV REUNIÓN ANUAL DE LA SOCIEDAD ARGENTINA DE INVESTIGACIÓN CLÍNICA (SAIC); 2019

Thyroid dysfunctions are frequent in reproductive age women and can affect fertility. They are associated with spontaneous miscarriages, premature birth, anovulation and abnormal menstrual cycles. Moreover, TSH levels and thyroid autoimmunity are increased in infertile patients. However, its impact on ovarian function in adulthood is scarcely known. Our aim was to investigate the reproductive function of thyroid hormones by studying assisted reproductive technologies (ART) patients with a clinical history of hypothyroidism that are currently taking levothyroxine (LT4), a thyroid hormone replacement drug.We assessed serum hormone concentrations in 60 women (aged 27-39 years) undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation at the Reproductive Medicine Center Pregna. Written, informed consent was given by all patients. Patients were classified into: control (euthyroid) and those under treatment with LT4, indicative of thyroid deficiency (hypothyroid). hCG was injected when follicles reached 17 mm in diameter and oocytes were retrieved under vaginal ultrasound guidance 34 h later. Serum concentrations of estradiol (E2), progesterone, prolactin, TSH, T4 and T3 were measured and the number of oocytes retrieved was recorded. Grouped patients were matched for age. The number of retrieved oocytes was lower in patients undergoing levothyroxine treatment (p