Association Between MitoScore, BMI, and Body Fat Percentage as a Predictive Marker for the Outcome of In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

Abstract

Background Infertility is defined as the inability to establish a pregnancy within 12 months of regular and unprotected sexual intercourse. In response to these problems, assisted reproductive techniques (ARTs) have made profound impacts on the therapeutic management of infertility. However, in-vitro fertilization (IVF) success rates are confounded by several internal and external factors. A relatively new approach to embryo assessment is known as MitoScore (Igenomix, Miami, USA). As a result, we sough to evaluate whether MitoScore can help in predicting in IVF outcomes, and to assess the relationship between MitoScore, BMI, and body fat percentage in determining the success of ARTs. Methods Using retrospective cohort, a study population consisting of 166 women aged 26-43 who were undergoing ART with pre-implantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) was assessed to determine if MitoScore, BMI, and body fat percentage impacted IVF outcomes. Results MitoScore, BMI, and body fat percentage were significantly lower in pregnant women as compared to non-pregnant women. Furthermore, MitoScore was correlated with subclasses of IVF outcomes (delivery, biochemical pregnancy, and spontaneous abortion) and was found to be positively correlated with BMI in patients with biochemical pregnancies. Conclusion Our findings suggest that MitoScore, BMI, and body fat percentage could act as critical parameters in determining the success of ART. However, the association between MitoScore, BMI, and body fat percentage does not appear to be a significant confounding factor to determine pregnancy outcome at this stage. Still, many factors need to be considered to establish the correlation reliably.

Keywords: assisted reproductive technique; body fat; body mass index; fertility; mitoscore.

Figure 1. Comparison between positive (top) and negative (bottom) IVF outcomes dependent on Mitoscore, BMI, and body fat percentage

IVF: In-vitro fertilization P values are noted at the top of each graph.

Figure 2. Comparison between IVF outcomes (non-pregnant, delivered, spontaneous abortion, and biochemical pregnancy) by Mitoscore, BMI, and body fat percentage

IVF: In-vitro fertilization; SAb: Spontaneous abortions; BIOCHEM: Biochemical pregnancy Mean body fat percentage was significant (p < 0.05) between non-pregnant and biochemical pregnancy, as well as non-pregnant and delivered.