Intraovarian stromal artery Doppler indices in predicting ovarian response.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the value of ovarian stromal artery Doppler indices in the prediction of ovarian response in in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) cycles.


METHODS
Forty-five cases were involved in the study. Following controlled ovarian hyperstimulation and detection of at least three follicles > 17 mm in diameter by transvaginal sonography in both ovaries, human chorionic gonadotropin was administered and follicle aspiration performed at the 34th-36th hour. The patients were separated into two groups according to the number of oocytes collected. Group I consisted of 8 (18%) patients who had three or fewer oocytes (low-responder cases); group II consisted of 37 (82%) patients who had 4 or more oocytes (good-response cases).


RESULTS
A significant negative correlation was found between both the stromal ovarian artery pulsatility index and the number of aspirated follicles (r = -.31, P = .04) and number of oocytes collected (r = -.32, P = .03). Although there was no significant correlation between the resistance index and number of aspirated follicles (r = .24, P = .12), a significant negative correlation was determined between the resistance index and number of oocytes collected (r = -.30, P = .04). Pulsatility and resistance indices were significantly different between the two groups (1.6 +/- 0.5 and 1.2 +/- 0.5, P = .02, versus 0.7 +/- 0.08 and 0.6 +/- 0.08, P = .03, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Blood flow in the vessels that supply blood to the follicles in the ovaries in the early follicular phase correlates significantly with ovarian response.
Altundag
Mustafa
M
Departments of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Radiology, Ege University Faculty of Medicine, and Family Planning, Infertility Research and Treatment Center, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey.
Levi
Rafael
R
Adakan
Saban
S
Goker
Ege Nazan Tavmergen
EN
Killi
Refik
R
Ozcakir
Hasan Tayfun
HT
Tavmergen
Erol
E
D000328:Adult; D001158:Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D009865:Oocytes; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011673:Pulsatile Flow; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color