Age-related changes in ovarian volume, antral follicle counts and basal FSH in women with normal reproductive health.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relation between ultrasound-based ovarian volume and antral follicle counts and hormonal parameters of ovarian reserve in a group of women with normal reproductive health.


METHODS
Prospective study. One hundred eight women with at least one previous pregnancy reaching term were divided into three age groups (group 1 = 35-39 years, group 2 = 40-44 years, and group 3 = 45-50 years). Basal hormone measurements and transvaginal ultrasonography estimation of ovarian volume and follicle counts were performed in the early follicular phase (day 3) of the menstrual cycle.


RESULTS
There were significant differences in FSH (P < .0001) and E2 (P < .002) levels when group I was compared to groups II and III. There was a significant decrease in mean follicle counts (MFC) between groups I and III (P < .05). The decrease in mean ovarian volume (MOV) with age was not statistically significant. Age strongly correlated with MFC (r = -.38, P < .001) and weakly with MOV (r = -.29, P < .05). However, basal FSH correlated positively with age (r = .50, P < .001) and negatively with MOV (r = -.590, P < .001) and MFC (r = -.658, P < .001). Basal E2 correlated with MOV (r = .50, P < .001) and MFC (r = .50, P < .001). There was also a strong positive correlation between MFC and MOV (r = .777, P < .001).


CONCLUSIONS
There was a decrease in MOV and MFC with aging coincident with increasing basal FSH levels after age 35 in women with normal reproductive health.
Erdem
Ahmet
A
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey. ozu2000@hotmail.com
Erdem
Mehmet
M
Biberoglu
Kutay
K
Hayit
Ozkan
O
Arslan
Murat
M
Gursoy
Rifat
R
D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000502:physiology*; D000886:Anthropometry; D001481:Basal Metabolism; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002452:Cell Count; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D005498:Follicular Phase / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000166:cytology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010053:Ovary / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014621:Vagina
D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone