Objective: To evaluate the predictive value of basal follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels in relation to the ovarian reserve and to establish their effect on IVF success. Design: Retrospective clinical study. Setting: 2nd Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Medical Faculty and L. Pasteur University Hospital Košice. Methods: 155 IVF cycles were evaluated in relation to the basal FSH levels. Several parameters were regarded – duration of stimulation, gonadotrophins dosage, number of oocytes, oocyte quality, fertilization ratio, number of embryos, pregnancy rate and miscarriage rate. Results: Statistically significant correlation in relation to basal FSH levels was established in case of number of oocytes and number of embryos (p<0,05). Other parameters were not correlated to basal FSH levels. There was not established lowerpregnancy rate in patients with elevated basal FSH levels. Conclusions: On basis of this study results we can observe that basal FSH concentrations give us some information about ovarian reserve, but they neither inform about oocyte quality nor predict IVF success.

        Key words: IVF, basal FSH, ovarian reserve, poor responders, prognosis