Antral follicular count as a predictor of ovarian response in induction of ovulation in patients with anovulatory infertility

Abstract EN

Objective : Recent studies suggest that antral follicular count may be sensitive, specific, and early indicator of ovarian reserve.

The accuracy of this marker, however, has not been compared directly to more traditional markers such as cycle outcome and pregnancy rate.

Thus, the purpose of this study was to test whether antral follicular count is more sensitive- and specific marker of ovarian reserve than age or FSH level and the impact of this parameter on pregnancy rate.

Design : Sixty four women in the reproductive age between 30 and 40 years diagnosed to have anovulatory infertility were selected randomly.

They all were exposed to a transvaginal ultrasound at day 3 of the cycle for determination of ovarian volume and antral follicle numbers.

Blood samples were also provided at the same day for measurement of FSH levels.

FSH levels, age, ovarian volume, antral follicular count and pregnancy rate were compared and correlation analysis was made.

Results : Older women had significantly higher FSH levels (p < or = 0.0001), smaller ovarian volumes (p < or = 0.002), and fewer antral follicles (p < or = 0.002) than younger women.

Ovarian volume and antral follicle numbers were found to be strongly correlated with pregnancy outcome.

Conclusion : Antral follicular count may be a useful indicator of pregnancy outcome than FSH or age alone in patients with anovulatory infertility.