Paternal body mass index is associated with decreased blastocyst development and reduced live birth rates following assisted reproductive technology

Abstract

Objective: To determine the relationship between paternal body mass index (BMI), embryo development and pregnancy, and live birth outcomes after assisted reproductive technology (ART).

Design: Retrospective analysis of ART cycles.

Setting: Major assisted reproduction center.

Patient(s): Three hundred five couples undergoing ART in a private fertility clinic.

Intervention(s): No intervention was undertaken in patients involved in this study.

Main outcome measure(s): Live birth outcomes and clinical pregnancy rates.

Result(s): No significant relationship between paternal BMI and early embryo development was found. However, increased paternal BMI was associated with decreased blastocyst development, clinical pregnancy rates and live birth outcomes.

Conclusion(s): To our knowledge, this is the first report linking increased paternal BMI and clinical pregnancy and live birth rates after ART treatment. Further work to elucidate the mechanisms involved is required.