IGF-1 Deficiency Identified as Key Driver and Predictor in Poor Ovarian Response

Poor Ovarian Response (POR), characterized by a suboptimal number of oocytes retrieved during assisted reproductive technologies, remains a significant challenge in infertility treatment. It impacts countless women globally, leading to reduced chances of successful pregnancy and increased emotional distress. While various factors contribute to POR, the precise role of specific endocrine markers is not fully understood, leaving a critical gap in diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. This study addresses how Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1) deficiency acts as both a pathogenic driver and a reliable predictor for POR.

The study revealed a strong correlation between IGF-1 deficiency and Poor Ovarian Response. Women with low IGF-1 levels exhibited a 3.8-fold higher risk of developing POR compared to those with normal IGF-1 (p<0.0001). Specifically, 68% of women categorized with IGF-1 deficiency met the criteria for POR, whereas only 15% of women with normal IGF-1 levels experienced POR. Furthermore, the average number of oocytes retrieved was significantly lower in the IGF-1 deficient group (4.1 ± 1.2 vs 9.5 ± 2.1 oocytes, p<0.0001). The study also found that IGF-1 levels below 55 ng/mL had an 85% sensitivity and 78% specificity in predicting POR. > The most critical finding was that IGF-1 deficiency emerged as an independent and robust biomarker for POR, demonstrating a predictive accuracy of 81% in identifying women at high risk.