Back to Search Start Over

Women with regular menstrual cycles and a poor response to ovarian hyperstimulation for in vitro fertilization exhibit follicular phase characteristics suggestive of ovarian aging

Authors :
Nicole G. M. Beckers
Nick S. Macklon
Bart C.J.M. Fauser
Marinus J.C. Eijkemans
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Public Health
Source :
Fertility & Sterility, 78(2), 291-297. Elsevier Inc.
Publication Year :
2002

Abstract

Objective: To investigate whether follicular phase characteristics associated with ovarian aging can be observed in women of normal reproductive age, who had previously shown a poor response to ovarian hyperstimulation for IVF. Design: Observational, prospective study. Setting: Tertiary fertility center. Patient(s): Eleven regularly cycling, ovulatory women, aged 29–40 years who previously presented with fewer than four dominant follicles after ovarian hyperstimulation for IVF. Intervention(s): Frequent serum hormone assessments and transvaginal ultrasound during the follicular phase of a spontaneous, unstimulated cycle. Main Outcome Measure(s): Duration of the follicular phase; serum LH, FSH, E 2 , P, inhibin A, and inhibin B levels; and number of antral follicles observed by ultrasound. Results were compared with the cycle characteristics of a reference population of 38 healthy normo-ovulatory women aged 20–36 years (as published elsewhere). Result(s): Poor responders had significantly fewer antral follicles than controls. Median FSH concentrations were significantly higher compared with controls, but the majority had FSH levels within the normal range. Follicular phase P levels were significantly higher in poor responders. Duration of the follicular phase, E 2 , and inhibin A and inhibin B serum levels did not differ between poor responders and controls. Conclusion(s): Normo-ovulatory regularly cycling women with a previous poor response to ovarian hyperstimulation for IVF show follicular phase characteristics suggestive of ovarian aging.

Details

ISSN :
00150282
Volume :
78
Issue :
2
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Fertility and sterility
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....fda4668e1e29d80c13cffe207b7fdee9