Sonographically monitored ovarian stimulation for assisted reproduction: a prospective, blind study.
OBJECTIVE
To assess prospectively the appropriateness of follicular sonography alone for monitoring ovarian stimulation and to compare it to ovarian monitoring with both follicular sonography and hormone level determinations.


METHODS
Prospective, blind, clinical study in which the investigator made cycle management decisions based on follicular sonography only.


RESULTS
Follicular sonography alone predicted 88% of the decisions made by the combination of follicular sonography, luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2) and progesterone measurements. Follicular sonography was unable to predict abnormal E2 patterns in eight (8%) of the patients' scans. Follicular sonography did not detect three (3%) patients with a premature LH surge.


CONCLUSIONS
Follicular sonograms alone performed during ovarian stimulation predicted 88% of cycle decisions. One could argue that hormone measurements could be either reduced or eliminated during ovarian stimulation for assisted reproductive technology and that follicular sonography only would be a cost-effective compromise. The effect of such simplified monitoring on pregnancy rates would require further prospective evaluation.
Confino
E
E
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rush Medical College, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Binor
Z
Z
Molo
M W
MW
Rawlins
R
R
Balos
R
R
Mullaney
K
K
Radwanska
E
E
D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008596:Menotropins; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000379:methods*; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014463:Ultrasonography
D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D008596:Menotropins; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone