Contribution of diminished ovarian reserve to hypofertility associated with endometriosis.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if ovarian reserve, as measured by day 3 levels of E2 and FSH, was different in patients with endometriosis as compared to controls.


METHODS
Case-control study of 75 women with laparoscopically staged endometriosis and 75 age-matched controls undergoing in vitro fertilization/embryo transfer for male factor infertility.


RESULTS
In women with stage III/IV endometriosis (revised American Fertility Society staging), day 3 E2 and FSH levels were significantly higher than control levels (51.9 pg/mL and 12.6 mIU/mL versus 34.7 pg/mL and 9.7 mIU/mL, P < .03). In contrast, women with stage I/II endometriosis did not differ significantly when compared to controls (36.8 pg/mL and 10.4 mIU/mL versus 34.0 pg/mL and 10.2 mIU/mL). The total group showed significantly higher E2 levels (41.8 pg/mL versus 34.1 pg/mL, P < .03), but no significant differences in FSH levels were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
These data show that women with stage III/IV endometriosis have relatively diminished ovarian reserve, while this situation is not noted in women with stage I/II endometriosis. This observation is consistent with progressive loss of ovarian reserve in women with increasing stages of endometriosis independent of age.
Hock
D L
DL
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA.
Sharafi
K
K
Dagostino
L
L
Kemmann
E
E
Seifer
D B
DB
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000209:etiology*; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D010053:Ovary / Q000503:physiopathology*
D004958:Estradiol; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone