J Reprod Endocrinol.  2012 Oct;4(2):113-119.

Effectiveness of Follicular Flushing Aspiration for Low or Poor Responders in Controlled Ovarian Hyperstimulation

• Joo JK
• Kim SC
• Son JB
• Ko GR
• Kim CW
• Lee KS

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of follicular flushing aspiration during COH-IVF in low or poor responders.
METHODS
21 COH-IVF cycles were studied. The patients who had less than 8 follicles, more than 14mm, observed by ultrasound at the day of hCG administration were included. The oocyte retrieval was performed with double lumen needle. The follicular aspiration was performed firstly, and then subsequent follicular flushing was repeated for 3 times with hepes buffered media. The oocyte quality was evaluated by oocyte maturity and embryo quality was assessed by observing embryo development stage.
RESULTS
58 oocytes were retrieved from 85 follicles. 25 oocytes were collected from direct aspiration and 33 oocytes were retrieved by follicular flushing (43.1% vs. 56.9%). Statistically, more mature oocytes were retrieved from follicular flushing (18 vs. 28, P=0.015) but embryo development was not different between follicular aspiration and follicular flushing group.
CONCLUSION
In low or poor responders, the number of retrieved oocytes were increased by follicular flushing. Also follicular flushing aspiration can be done with minimal side effects and a little effort. However, in our study, the clinical effectiveness of follicular flushing remains yet to be determined. So, this procedure will be evaluated by prospective randomized trial in larger number of low or poor responders.

Keyword

Follicular flushing; Oocyte quality; Poor responders

MeSH Terms

Embryonic Development
Embryonic Structures
Female
Flushing
HEPES
Humans
Needles
Oocyte Retrieval
Oocytes
Pregnancy
HEPES