Effect of age on ovarian stromal flow measured by three-dimensional ultrasound with power Doppler in Chinese women with proven fertility.
BACKGROUND
Increasing age is associated with reduced ovarian stromal blood flow detected by three-dimensional (3D) power Doppler ultrasound in infertile patients. However, little information exists in the literature regarding the effect of age on the ovarian stromal blood flow in fertile women.


METHODS
On the second to fourth day of their menstrual cycle, fertile Chinese women who had regular monthly cycles and no history of tubal and ovarian surgery underwent a transvaginal scan with 3D power Doppler to determine total antral follicle count (AFC), total ovarian volume, total ovarian vascularization index (VI)/flow index (FI)/vascularization flow index (VFI). Serum FSH and vascular endothelial growth factor concentrations were checked.


RESULTS
Out of 177 women scanned, 138 women were included in the final analysis. Total AFC and serum FSH were significantly different among four age groups (< or = 30, 31-35, 36-40 and > or = 41 years). Total ovarian VI and VFI were significantly lower in women aged > or = 41 years. AFC had the best correlation with the age of women, followed by serum FSH concentration and ovarian 3D power Doppler indices. The rate of decline of total ovarian VI was 0.18% per year.


CONCLUSIONS
Ovarian stromal blood flow was significantly reduced only in women aged > or = 41 years.
Ng
Ernest Hung Yu
EH
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China. nghye@hkucc.hku.hk
Chan
Carina Chi Wai
CC
Yeung
William Shu Biu
WS
Ho
Pak Chung
PC
D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*; D044466:Asian People; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010053:Ovary / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology; D012016:Reference Values; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler
D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone