Comparison of ovarian stromal blood flow between fertile women with normal ovaries and infertile women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
BACKGROUND
Conflicting information exists in the literature with respect to ovarian stromal blood flow in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). We compared the ovarian stromal blood flow and serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) concentration between fertile women with normal ovaries and infertile women with PCOS.


METHODS
In the second to fourth day of the menstrual period, they underwent transvaginal scanning with three-dimensional (3D) power Doppler to determine total antral follicle count (AFC), total ovarian volume, total ovarian vascularization index (VI), flow index (VFI) and vascularization flow index (VFI). Serum FSH, LH and VEGF concentrations were also checked.


RESULTS
107 fertile controls and 32 PCOS women were recruited. Fertile controls and PCOS women had similar total ovarian VI/FI/VFI after controlling for age of the woman, although PCOS women had significantly higher total AFC, total ovarian volume and serum LH concentration than fertile controls. Total ovarian VI/FI/VFI were significantly higher in normal weight (BMI < 25 kg/m2) PCOS women than their overweight (> or = 25 kg/m2) counterparts.


CONCLUSIONS
Fertile controls and PCOS women had similar total ovarian 3D power Doppler flow indices. Normal weight PCOS women had significantly higher total ovarian 3D power Doppler flow indices than their overweight counterparts.
Ng
Ernest Hung Yu
EH
Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, 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; D000367:Age Factors; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010053:Ovary / Q000098:blood supply*; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000097:blood
D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A