Use of follicle-stimulating hormone test to predict poor response in in vitro fertilization.
OBJECTIVE
Optimized ovarian stimulation protocols are required for the success of in vitro fertilization (IVF). The purpose of this study was to estimate whether the ovarian reserve test using exogenous follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) could predict ovarian response in IVF.


METHODS
This was a prospective observational study of 110 patients who underwent their first IVF cycle. The FSH test was administered as 150 IU of urinary FSH daily from day 3 to day 6 of the menstrual cycle preceding the IVF cycle for evaluation of the plasma estradiol level. Outcomes of IVF, including ovarian response, were analyzed.


RESULTS
A negative correlation was observed between the duration of stimulation and the result of the FSH test (r = -.238, P = .014) and between the dose of FSH per retrieved mature oocyte (metaphase II oocyte) and the result of the FSH test (r = -.308, P < .001). In addition, our results showed that the result of the FSH test was significantly lower in poor responders defined by FSH of 400 IU/metaphase II oocyte or greater (207 +/- 149 compared with 293 +/- 174 pg/mL, P = .007).


CONCLUSIONS
The FSH test can be a useful tool for determining the conditions of individualized clinical management plans and optimizing stimulation protocols in IVF.
Iwase
Akira
A
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan. akiwase@med.nagoya-u.ac.jp
Ando
Hisao
H
Kuno
Keiko
K
Mizutani
Shigehiko
S
D000328:Adult; D002996:Clomiphene / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005300:Fertility Agents, Female / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008596:Menotropins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009865:Oocytes; D010050:Ovarian Function Tests; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic
D005300:Fertility Agents, Female; D002996:Clomiphene; D004958:Estradiol; D008596:Menotropins; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone