Predicting empty follicle syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To determine a simple predictive test for empty follicle syndrome before oocyte retrieval.


METHODS
Retrospective correlation analysis.


METHODS
Patients attending Nottingham University Research and Treatment Unit, a tertiary, university-based assisted reproductive technologies (ART) program between April 1, 1994 and March 31, 1995.


METHODS
Six women in whom no oocytes were retrieved after superovulation for ART (empty follicle syndrome) were compared with 11 women with successful oocyte retrieval.


METHODS
Subcutaneous buserelin acetate plus IM hMG and hCG were used for superovulation. Oocyte retrieval was transvaginal and ultrasound guided.


METHODS
Ultrasound measurement of follicular growth and serum E2 levels during superovulation. Serum beta-hCG levels before and 36 hours after hCG administration IM. Number of oocytes retrieved.


RESULTS
Before hCG administration, beta-hCG was not detectable in the serum. The serum beta-hCG 36 hours after hCG was 209 +/- 16.7 mIU/mL (conversion factor to SI units, 1.0; mean +/- SEM, range 106 to 290 mIU/mL) in women with successful oocyte retrieval and 4 +/- 1.8 mIU/mL (range 0 to 9 mIU/mL) in empty follicle syndrome. This difference was significant.


CONCLUSIONS
Empty follicle syndrome is associated with very low bioavailability of beta-hCG and can be predicted by measuring serum beta-hCG level 36 hours after IM hCG administration.
Ndukwe
G
G
Nottingham University Research and Treatment Unit in Reproduction (NURTURE), Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Queen's Medical Centre, United Kingdom.
Thornton
S
S
Fishel
S
S
Dowell
K
K
al-Hassan
S
S
Hunter
A
A
D000328:Adult; D002064:Buserelin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human / Q000097:blood; D004717:Endometrium / Q000473:pathology; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D008596:Menotropins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000473:pathology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013480:Superovulation; D013577:Syndrome
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human; D004958:Estradiol; D008596:Menotropins; D002064:Buserelin