Power Doppler ultrasound assessment of ovarian perifollicular blood flow in women with polycystic ovaries and normal ovaries during in vitro fertilization treatment.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate whether ovarian perifollicular blood flow (PFBF) varies by ultrasound among women with polycystic and normal ovaries undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF).


METHODS
Prospective observational cohort study of women undergoing IVF treatment.


METHODS
Department of reproductive medicine at a university teaching hospital.


METHODS
Thirty four women with regular spontaneous ovulatory menstrual cycles undergoing IVF divided into two groups according to findings on a baseline transvaginal ultrasound scan: group 1 consisted of 20 women with ultrasound-evident normal ovaries (USNO group), and group 2 consisted of 14 women with ultrasound-evident polycystic ovaries (USPCO group).


METHODS
Serial transvaginal power Doppler ultrasound assessments throughout the follicular phase of ovarian stimulation.


METHODS
Ovarian PFBF and ovarian stromal artery pulsatility index.


RESULTS
Women with USPCO had a significantly lower ovarian stromal artery pulsatility index at the time of the first ultrasound assessment before starting the FSH injections compared with USNO women. However, there was no difference in ovarian PFBF between women with USPCO and USNO during the follicular phase of ovarian stimulation for IVF.


CONCLUSIONS
There is no difference in ovarian follicular vascularity between women with polycystic and normal ovaries during ovarian stimulation at IVF treatment.
Costello
Michael F
MF
School of Women's and Children's Health, Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of New South Wales, Royal Hospital for Women, LB 2000, Randwick, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia. mfcostello@unsw.edu.au
Shrestha
Sanu M
SM
Sjoblom
Peter
P
McNally
Glen
G
Bennett
Michael J
MJ
Steigrad
Stephen J
SJ
Hughes
Graeme J
GJ
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D015588:Observer Variation; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000098:blood supply*; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data