Don't leave your eggs in their basket for too long

The likelihood of a live birth following just one IVF treatment decreases significantly in women aged 35 years and over according to research published in the latest edition of the Medical Journal of Australia.

The study, conducted by Prof Robert Jansen, Medical Director at Sydney IVF, was carried out from January to December 1998 and involved 565 women aged from 22 to 48 years.

According to the study, the age of peak utilisation of IVF is 39 years. Many women seek IVF at an age when the likelihood of a live birth is reduced.

"For women aged 34 years or less the chance of a live birth following one round of egg retrieval and IVF treatment was 52.4%," Prof Jansen said.

"For women aged 35-44 years, there was a linear decline in the live birth rate, and no babies were born from egg retrievals in women aged 45 years and over," he said.

Since the first IVF baby was born in 1980, there have been more than 43,500 babies born after IVF and related assisted-conception techniques in Australia and New Zealand. During this time there have been major changes in laboratory practice and major improvements in pregnancy rates.

"Despite these improvements it's important to recognise it might be preferable for childbearing to take place by the age of 33 years or women will increasingly encounter unexpected difficulties - difficulties that may or may not be overcome by IVF," Prof Jansen said.

"Investigation and management of infertility should commence at an earlier age than it presently does

The Medical Journal of Australia is a publication of the Australian Medical Association.

CONTACT: Prof Robert Jansen 02 9449 2008 (H) 0404 046 968

Judith Tokley, AMA, 0408 824 306