Antral follicle count and serum follicle-stimulating hormone levels to assess functional ovarian age.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was 2-fold. The first was to estimate side-to-side variation in antral follicle counts. The second was to determine whether basal follicle-stimulating hormone levels on days 2, 3, and 4 of the same menstrual cycle are significantly different.


METHODS
Forty-one patients between the ages of 20 and 42 years undergoing monitoring for in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer were evaluated ultrasonographically for antral follicle number. The antral follicle counts were determined for each ovary by experienced ultrasonographers at the time of suppression check ultrasonography. In a separate study, 62 normal subjects (ages 20-25 and 40-45 years) underwent serial sequential serum follicle-stimulating hormone determinations on days 2-4 of the menstrual cycle, and these levels were compared.


RESULTS
There was no significant difference between right and left antral follicle counts (P =.30). Serial follicle-stimulating hormone values were not significantly different on days 2, 3, or 4 of the menstrual cycle (P =.22).


CONCLUSIONS
There is no significant difference between right-sided and left-sided antral follicle counts within the same individual. In turn, there is no significant difference in serial follicle-stimulating hormone levels on days 2, 3, or 4 of the menstrual cycle.


METHODS
III
Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, 4225 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105-6099, USA. gchow@u.washington.edu
Gregory E
GE
Chow
Amy R
AR
Criniti
Michael R
MR
Soules
D000328:Adult; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D014463:Ultrasonography
D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone