Abstract
ABSTRACT
Objective: Obesity is a major metabolic condition linked to reduced fertility. Excess adipose tissue disrupts the neuroendocrine axis and impairs several reproductive processes. Evidence shows that, even when assisted reproductive technologies are used, women with obesity experience lower oocyte recovery, fewer viable embryos, and higher rates of miscarriage and gestational complications. This study evaluated the relationship between obesity and female infertility by analyzing in vitro fertilization outcomes.
Methods: This quantitative, cross-sectional, retrospective study included all in vitro fertilization cycles performed at a private assisted reproduction clinic in Goiânia between January and December 2022. Ethical approval was obtained from the Research Ethics Committee. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 226 cycles from women aged 24–46 years were analyzed. Logistic regression models were used to assess associations between maternal and paternal body mass index and in vitro fertilization outcomes, as well as metabolic comorbidities, gestational, intrapartum, and neonatal complications, and miscarriage, prematurity, and newborn birth weight.
Results: Women with overweight (body mass index ≥25kg/m2) were 2.4 times more likely to develop gestational complications (odds ratio, 2.42; 95% confidence interval, 1.048–5.598) and 2.8 times more likely to develop neonatal complications (odds ratio, 2.80; 95% confidence interval, 1.712–6.70) compared with eutrophic women. No other significant association was identified.
Conclusion: Higher maternal body mass index was associated with increased gestational and neonatal complications, but not with in vitro fertilization success. Further research using broader clinical and anthropometric indicators is needed to better characterize the impact of obesity and to guide preventive strategies.