CCRM Success Among Best in the U.S. – Extraordinary Results for Those 38 to 43 Years of Age

Our extraordinary success rate in older patients is due to many factors.  First, we are very careful to screen patients for hidden causes of prior or potential IVF failure.  Chromosomal abnormalities in the patient’s own peripheral blood, the presence of hydrosalpinges, the lack of beta-3 integrin receptors, the presence of uterine fibroids which are compromising the uterine cavity, and abnormalities on a sperm chromatin assay are a few examples of abnormalities that can be detected during pretesting.  By identifying these factors prospectively, we can correct these abnormalities and maximize the patient’s chance for success. 

The second contributor to our excellent results is the In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Laboratory services provided by Fertility Laboratories of Colorado (FLC). CCRM patients have access to FLC’s Clinical Laboratory and IVF Laboratory services. The FLC embryologists are able to provide an optimal environment to maximize the growth, development, and implantation potential of embryos. The FLC embryologists are able to provide ICSI to maximize fertilization and assisted hatching techniques to increase embryo implantation.

In addition to the laboratory aspects of IVF, certainly the methods of stimulating older patients is of critical importance.  At the Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine, we have published some of the original literature and are considered experts on the treatment of poor responders and have developed novel protocols to maximize the yield of oocytes for these patients.  By obtaining an optimal number and quality of oocytes to begin with, we can ensure the best outcome for the patient in terms of embryo development.

The addition of pre-implantation genetic screening (PGS) allows the identification of embryos which are chromosomally abnormal with a 90% accuracy rate. Pre-genetic screening of embryos can further improve the pregnancy rates in older patients, and at the same time, decrease the rate of miscarriage. The polar body biopsy and blastomere biopsy procedures are performed by the FLC embryologists. The actual testing of the embryos for PGS is performed by outside laboratories specializing in PGS testing.

The following statistics are for the age group of 38 to 43 year old using their own eggs.  Statistics for women less than 38 and donor egg patients can be found in our Statistics Section of this website.

Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine Statistics  -- 2006 Statistics
Women 38 to 43 y.o.

a) Reflects patient and treatment characteristics of ART cycles performed in 2006 using fresh, nondonor eggs or embryos
b) Pregnancies resulting in one or more children born alive (i.e., a multiple-infant birth is counted as one live birth).
c) When fewer than 20 cycles using fresh, non-donor eggs or embryos are reported in any one category, live birth rates are shown as fractions, and reliability ranges are not given. Calculation of percentage based on a fraction may be misleading and is not encouraged.
d) All ages (including age >42) are reported together because previous data show that patient age does not materially affect success with donor eggs.
e) For patients older than 42 undergoing ART cycles using fresh, non-donor eggs or embryos, clinic-specific outcome rates are unreliable. Patients are urged to review national outcomes for these age groups.

Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine Statistics  -- 2005 Statistics
Women 38 to 43 y.o.

a) Reflects patient and treatment characteristics of ART cycles performed in 2005 using fresh, nondonor eggs or embryos
b) Pregnancies resulting in one or more children born alive (i.e., a multiple-infant birth is counted as one live birth).
c) When fewer than 20 cycles using fresh, non-donor eggs or embryos are reported in any one category, live birth rates are shown as fractions, and reliability ranges are not given. Calculation of percentage based on a fraction may be misleading and is not encouraged.
d) All ages (including age >42) are reported together because previous data show that patient age does not materially affect success with donor eggs.
e) For patients older than 42 undergoing ART cycles using fresh, non-donor eggs or embryos, clinic-specific outcome rates are unreliable. Patients are urged to review national outcomes for these age groups.

Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine Statistics  -- 2004 Statistics
Women 38 to 43 y.o.

a) Reflects patient and treatment characteristics of ART cycles performed in 2004 using fresh, nondonor eggs or embryos
b) Pregnancies resulting in one or more children born alive (i.e., a multiple-infant birth is counted as one live birth).
c) When fewer than 20 cycles using fresh, non-donor eggs or embryos are reported in any one category, live birth rates are shown as fractions, and reliability ranges are not given. Calculation of percentage based on a fraction may be misleading and is not encouraged.
d) All ages (including age >42) are reported together because previous data show that patient age does not materially affect success with donor eggs.
e) For patients older than 42 undergoing ART cycles using fresh, non-donor eggs or embryos, clinic-specific outcome rates are unreliable. Patients are urged to review national outcomes for these age groups.

The above information was submitted to SART (Society for Reproductive Technology) in January, 2006 for inclusion in its national report on 2004 IVF statistics. This information will be published by SART and posted on the CDC website in late 2006.  All information is current as of 3/22/2006.

For Complete Statistics for All Ages

To obtain more information about our services we may be contacted by mail, telephone, fax or e-mail as follows:

Lone Tree Office: 303-788-8300
(Drs. Schoolcraft, Surrey and Gustofson)
Fax Number: 303-788-8310

Denver Office: 303-355-2555
(Dr. Minjarez)
Fax Number: 303-355-2099

Avista Office: 303-665-0150
(Dr. Gustofson)
Fax Number 303-665-0740

The e-mail address for all offices is ccrm@colocrm.com

Mailing address:
Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine
10290 RidgeGate Circle
Lone Tree, CO 80124
E-mail: ccrm@colocrm.com