Pilot study investigating the age-related decline in ovarian function of regularly menstruating normal women.
OBJECTIVE
To use a pilot study to investigate markers of the age-related decline in ovarian function of regularly menstruating normal women.


METHODS
Prospective.


METHODS
Tertiary research center.


METHODS
Healthy volunteers (n = 42) aged 18 to 50 years who had regular ovulatory menstrual cycles and a prior pregnancy.


METHODS
A single 300-IU dose of human recombinant FSH on day 3 of the menstrual cycle.


METHODS
Antral follicle count by transvaginal ultrasound and basal and FSH-stimulated serum markers.


RESULTS
Age correlated most strongly with FSH-stimulated inhibin B (r = -0.660), followed by antral follicle count (r = -0.578), basal FSH (r = 0.509), basal Müllerian inhibiting substance (MIS; r = -0.468), and basal inhibin B (r = -0.358). Total antral follicle count correlated most strongly with basal MIS level (r = 0.642).


CONCLUSIONS
Of the parameters tested, FSH-stimulated serum inhibin B level had the strongest correlation with age. Basal serum MIS level had the strongest correlation with total antral follicle count. We confirm a previous report that in normal women, the antral follicle count as determined by transvaginal ultrasound examination correlates better with age than do basal FSH and basal inhibin B levels.
Pastor
Carmen L
CL
Developmental Endocrinology Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
Vanderhoof
Vien H
VH
Lim
Lony C-L
LC
Calis
Karim A
KA
Premkumar
Ahalya
A
Guerrero
Nadia T
NT
Nelson
Lawrence M
LM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging / Q000097:blood* / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000097:blood* / Q000187:drug effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies
D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone