title: Antral follicle count and FSH concentration after clomiphene citrate challenge test in the prediction of ovarian response during IVF treatment.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We compared: (i) antral follicle count (AFC) in the early follicular phase, after the clomiphene citrate challenge test (CCCT) and before ovarian stimulation following pituitary down-regulation; and (ii) age of women, body mass index, basal and stimulated serum FSH concentrations and AFC in predicting the ovarian response of infertile women aged <40 years with basal FSH <10 IU/l on recruitment in their first IVF cycle.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two months prior to the treatment cycle, AFC and basal FSH concentration were determined on day 2-3 of a spontaneous period and on day 10 after CCCT. All women received a standard stimulation regimen. Ovarian response was represented by the number of oocytes, serum estradiol, the duration and dosage of gonadotrophins.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no significant difference between basal, stimulated and down-regulated AFC. AFC achieved the best predictive value in relation to the number of oocytes, followed by combined FSH concentration (sum of the two FSH concentrations) and age of women. Both basal AFC and combined FSH concentration were predictive factors of serum estradiol concentration, whereas stimulated FSH concentration was predictive of the total dosage of gonadotrophins.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Combined FSH concentration after CCCT provides additional information in predicting ovarian response.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China. nghye@hkucc.hku.hk
authors.forename: Ernest Hung Yu
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: Carina Chi Wai
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Oi Shan
authors.initials: OS
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Pak Chung
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Ho
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002996:Clomiphene / Q000494:pharmacology; D003944:Diagnostic Techniques, Obstetrical and Gynecological; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods*; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D005498:Follicular Phase / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008423:Maternal Age; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000502:physiology*; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000379:methods*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D002996:Clomiphene; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone