Human Reproduction, Vol. 17, No. 1, 124-127,
January 2002
© 2002 European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology
Pregnancies after oocyte donation in women with ovarian failure caused by an inactivating mutation in the follicle stimulating hormone receptor
1 The Infertility Clinic of the Family Federation of Finland in Helsinki and 2 Oulu, 3 Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics and 4 Department of Clinical Genetics, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland and 5 Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge University Hospital, Sweden
BACKGROUND: An inactivating point mutation (Ala189Val) in the FSH receptor (FSHR) causes primary ovarian failure. It has not been known if FSH action is necessary during pregnancy and childbirth. METHODS: In 1991–2001, donated oocytes were used to treat the infertility of 12 women with ovarian failure due to this mutation. RESULTS: When 30 fresh and 15 frozen-thawed embryo transfers were performed, 14 clinical and two biochemical pregnancies resulted. To date, 12 children have been born to eight women, while one pregnancy ended in miscarriage. Three women had twin pregnancies, and one woman has delivered twice. Additionally, there are three ongoing pregnancies, of which two are second pregnancies of women who previously had a normal delivery after similar treatment. In all, 10 out of the 12 women became pregnant. Two deliveries were by Caesarean section. The rate of complications was comparable with that in pregnancies resulting from oocyte donation in general. CONCLUSIONS: Achieving and undergoing a successful pregnancy is possible when FSH action is severely decreased. Oocyte donation is an effective infertility treatment for women with FSHR mutations.
Key words: FSH receptor/mutation/oocyte donation/ovary/pregnancy
6 To whom correspondence should be addressed at: Karolinska Institutet, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Huddinge University Hospital, S-141 86 Stockholm, Sweden. E-mail: outi.hovatta{at}klinvet.ki.se