Significance of basal follicle-stimulating hormone levels in women with one ovary in a program of in vitro fertilization.
OBJECTIVE
To understand the impact of having a single ovary on basal follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) level and its diagnostic and prognostic usefulness in in vitro fertilization (IVF).


METHODS
All IVF cases from July 1987 to June 1990 with known basal FSH (n = 1,272) were divided into those with one and those with two ovaries to compare outcomes based on basal FSH levels.


METHODS
Tertiary care academic center with a large IVF practice.


METHODS
Basal FSH, age, and IVF outcomes including peak estradiol, numbers of follicles aspirated, oocytes retrieved, fertilized, and transferred, and pregnancies (clinical and ongoing).


RESULTS
In women with only one ovary, basal FSH was increased, and IVF outcomes were poorer. The rise in FSH was able, in large part, to account for the diminished performance in the single ovary cases.


CONCLUSIONS
Women with only one ovary have higher basal FSH levels than those with two ovaries, and this rise can be used to predict their IVF performance.
Khalifa
E
E
Jones Institute for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk 23507.
Toner
J P
JP
Muasher
S J
SJ
Acosta
A A
AA
D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D010053:Ovary / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011336:Probability; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D015415:Biomarkers; D004958:Estradiol; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone