The Significance of Ovarian Volume as a Predictor of the Ovarian Reserve

Kim, Sung Kun; Ahn, Ki Hoon; Lee, Yong Ho; Kim, Tak; Kim, Sun Haeng

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To find out whether the determination of the baseline ovarian volume would be a suitable predictor for ovarian response to gonadotropins stimulation and the outcome of IVF-ET. As the ovarian reserve is closely related with the clinical success of IVF-ET, its prediction prior to stimulation is useful in counselling and in adjusting the stimulation protocol for individual patients in ART program.
METHODS
A total of 68 infertile women undergoing their first cycle of IVF-ET using a standard regimen of COH (controlled ovarian hyperstimulation) from January, 2000 to June, 2001 were included. Basal levels (Day 2-3) of serum FSH, LH, prolactin and estradiol (E2) were measured. Both ovarian volumes of each woman were measured by TVUS (transvaginal ultrasonography) before stimulation. Based on both ovarian volumes of each woman, the patients were divided into three groups of less than 7 ml, between 7 ml and 11 ml, and more than 11 ml, and their results were analysed for the comparison.
RESULTS
Women with larger ovarian volumes have more basal antral follicles (0.0077), more oocytes retrieved (p<0.0007), and higher peak E2 concentration (p<0.0001). No correlations were found between ovarian volumes and age, basal FSH levels, E2 concentrations, and hMG doses and durations. Considering oocytes number as dependent variable, the significant correlations were found in ovarian volumes (p<0.05), basal antral follicle numbers (p<0.0001), and peak E2 concentrations (p<0.0002), but no correlation was found in ages, basal FSH, basal E2, and hMG doses and duration. Ovarian volume was not significantly related with clinical pregnancy rate (p=0.3014).
CONCLUSION
It is suggested that the baseline ovarian volumes could be considered as a good marker of ovarian reserve, and it also could be used for the prediction of ovarian response to gonadotropin therapy.