Growth Hormone’s Impact on Oxidative Stress, Ovarian Response, and In Vitro Fertilization in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Across Different Ages

Aims/Background Growth hormone (GH) supplementation contributes to improved reproductive and pregnancy outcomes in in vitro fertilization (IVF)–embryo transfer (ET) in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) women. This study aimed to explore the effects of GH on the oxidative stress, ovarian reactivity, and pregnancy outcomes of IVF-ET in PCOS patients of different ages. Methods The clinical data of 342 women with PCOS undergoing in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection–embryo transfer (IVF/ICSI-ET) were collected for retrospective analysis. Based on age, patients were divided into three groups: <35 years (n = 118), 35–40 years (n = 120), and >40 years (n = 104). Each age group was further subdivided into a GH subgroup and a control subgroup, according to whether GH was supplemented during ovarian stimulation. Ovarian stimulation parameters and IVF/ICSI-ET outcomes were recorded. Levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in both follicular fluid and serum were measured using commercial assay kits. Results In the 35–40 years group, the total number of oocytes retrieved, metaphase II (MII) oocytes, and ovarian sensitivity index (OSI) were significantly higher in the GH group compared to the control group (p = 0.012, 0.049, 0.006, respectively). In the >40 years group, the total number of oocytes retrieved and OSI were also significantly increased in the GH group compared to the control group (p = 0.001, 0.002, respectively). In the <35, 35–40, and >40 years groups, the serum SOD level on the trigger day was significantly higher in the GH groups than in the control groups (p = 0.004, 0.001, 0.012, respectively), while the serum MDA level was significantly lower (p = 0.032, 0.015, 0.004, respectively). In the 35–40 and >40 years groups, the fertilization rate was significantly higher in the GH subgroups compared to the control subgroups (p = 0.040, 0.001, respectively). A total of 43 ET cycles were cancelled, and 299 ET cycles were analyzed. In the 35–40 years group, the GH subgroup showed a significantly higher pregnancy rate compared to the control subgroup (p = 0.043); although the live birth rate was slightly higher, the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.064). In the <35 years and >40 years groups, no significant differences were observed in pregnancy rate, miscarriage rate, or live birth rate between the GH and control subgroups (p > 0.05). Conclusion GH improves serum oxidative stress and ovarian reactivity in women with PCOS, and increases both the number of oocytes retrieved and the fertilization rate in those aged ≥35 years. Additionally, GH increases the pregnancy rate in PCOS patients aged 35–40 years, although it does not show a significant benefit in live birth rate.