title: Comparison of endocrine tests with respect to their predictive value on the outcome of ovarian hyperstimulation in IVF treatment: results of a prospective randomized study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study was designed to compare endocrine tests [clomiphene citrate challenge test (CCT), exogenous FSH ovarian reserve test (EFORT) and basal FSH, basal estradiol (E(2)) and basal inhibin B as an integral part of all CCT and EFORT], with respect to their ability to estimate the stimulable cohort of follicles in the ovaries (ovarian capacity) and to analyse which test or combination of tests would give the best prediction of ovarian capacity.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 110 regularly menstruating patients, aged 18-39 years, participated in this prospective study, randomized by a computer-designed 4-block system study into two groups. Fifty-six patients underwent a CCT, and 54 patients underwent an EFORT. In all patients, the test was followed by an IVF treatment. The result of ovarian hyperstimulation during IVF treatment, expressed by the total number of follicles, was used as gold standard.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Univariate linear regression analysis showed that the best correlation with the number of follicles after ovarian hyperstimulation (Y) is found by the inhibin B increment (InhB incr.) in the EFORT (Y = 3.957 + 0.081 x InhB incr. (95% CI 0.061-0.101); r = 0.751; P < 0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis showed a significant contributing value of the variables basal FSH, E(2) increment of the EFORT and inhibin B increment to the basic model with the variable age. The best prediction of ovarian capacity (Y) was seen when E(2) increment and inhibin B increment were used simultaneously in a stepforward multiple regression prediction model [Y = 2.659 + 0.052 x InhB incr. (0.026-0.078) + 0.027 x E(2) incr. (95% CI 0.012-0.054); r = 0.796; P < 0.001]. The CCT could not be used in a prediction model.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The EFORT is the endocrine test which gives the best prediction of ovarian capacity.
authors.affiliation: Research Institute for Endocrinology, Reproduction and Metabolism, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Fertility, Vrije Universiteit Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. j.kwee@vumc.nl
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kwee
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Elting
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schats
authors.forename: P D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Bezemer
authors.forename: C B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Lambalk
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schoemaker
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002996:Clomiphene; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D016471:Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010053:Ovary / Q000502:physiology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D004965:Estrogen Antagonists; D002996:Clomiphene