P-633 Impact of insulin resistance on reproductive medicine outcomes
Authors: Weiss G , Meir V , Schenk H , Schenk M 
Published: July 2024

Study question

Does Homeostasis Model Assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) have an influence in reproductive medicine outcomes?

Summary answer

HOMA-IR is associated with fertility treatment parameters and has a significant influence on reproductive medicine outcomes.

What is known already

The HOMA model is used to yield an estimate of insulin sensitivity from basal (fasting) plasma insulin and glucose concentrations. Currently, the model has become a widely used clinical tool to evaluate glucose metabolism. Regarding fertility, the relation between polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and insulin resistance (IR) has been studied. Insulin resistance may be potential contributor to impaired treatment outcomes in artificial reproductive technology (ART). Although a few studies have recently been published on the topic the association of HOMA-IR with fertility treatment parameters remains a black box in reproductive medicine research.

Study design, size, duration

The observational study was designed and conducted at the Kinderwunsch Institut Schenk GmbH (Dobl, Austria). The study included 175 patients (25 men and 150 women), aged 18-45. HOMA-IR was determined for each patient and then correlated with patient’s medical history, fertility treatment parameters and outcomes.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

HOMA-IR was determined by taking a blood sample during fasting state and measuring plasma values of glucose (mg/dl) and insulin (mU/ml). A HOMA-IR of ≥ 2 was considered as insulin resistance. HOMA-IR was correlated with medical history (polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, Body-Mass-Index (BMI), nicotine abuse) and fertility treatment parameters (sperm quality, number of retrieved oocytes after controlled ovarian stimulation, number of mature and fertilized oocytes, embryo quality and pregnancy rate).

Main results and the role of chance

An increased HOMA-IR (³2) was observed in 90 patients (51.4%). They suffered from obesity (n = 36; 80%), PCOS (n = 22; 70.97%), ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (n = 17; 77.27%) and experienced poor embryo quality (n = 249; 91.54%). A significant positive correlation was found between HOMA-IR and PCOS (p &lt; 0.001), obesity (p &lt; 0.001) and number of retrieved oocytes (p &lt; 0.05). The pregnancy rate correlated negatively with the HOMA-IR (p &lt; 0.001). Furthermore, trends of positive correlations of high HOMA-IR in endometriosis, BMI, pathological spermiogram, nicotine abuse and increased number of mature oocytes were determined. The relation between HOMA-IR and the number of retrieved and mature oocytes is consistent with its relation to PCOS. The data show that HOMA-IR is associated with fertility treatment parameters and has a significant influence on ART outcome.

Limitations, reasons for caution

The number of patients may be seen as a study limitation. Results should be confirmed with a bigger sample size. An interventional study should confirm the role of HOMA-IR in IVF outcomes.

Wider implications of the findings

These findings may help to better understand the importance of glucose and insulin metabolism in reproduction and suggest that evaluation of HOMA-IR may be a valuable parameter to be considered when collecting patients’ anamnesis prior to starting ART treatment.

Trial registration number

not applicable