Prognostic value of serum CA-125 measurements on stimulation day 1 and on the day of oocyte pickup in the prediction of IVF treatment outcome

PURPOSE: To assess whether serum levels of CA-125, a proposed marker of endometrial receptivity, are associated with pregnancy after IVF. METHODS: 42 IVF pregnancies were matched with nonpregnant controls. Twenty-eight additional unmatched pregnancies were included for the comparison of pregnancy outcomes. CA-125 concentrations were measured on stimulation day 1 (SD1) and at oocyte pickup (OPU). We analyzed association between CA-125 levels and establishment of pregnancy and its outcome; correlation between CA-125 concentrations and other parameters; differences in CA-125 levels between SD1 and OPU. RESULTS: In pregnant, but not in nonpregnant patients, CA-125 levels decreased significantly from SD1 to OPU. There was no significant difference in CA-125 levels at either time point between pregnant and nonpregnant subjects. No significant correlation was found between CA-125 levels and any other clinical or laboratory parameters. CONCLUSIONS: CA-125 measurements at the beginning of stimulation or at oocyte retrieval are not useful in predicting IVF outcome.