Assessment of the ovarian volume, number and volume of follicles and ovarian vascularity by three-dimensional ultrasonography and power Doppler angiography on the HCG day to predict the outcome in IVF/ICSI cycles.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this prospective study was to investigate whether ovarian blood flow is related to embryological parameters and whether it could be a predictor of outcomes of IVF/ICSI.


METHODS
Eighty infertile women underwent ovarian stimulation with gonadotrophins after a long protocol with GnRH agonists. The ovarian volume (OV), number of follicles (NF) and follicular volume (FV) of all follicles >10 mm and vascularization index (VI), flow index (FI) and vascularization-flow index (VFI) were obtained by three-dimensional (3D) ultrasonography and power Doppler angiography (PDA) on the day of HCG administration. These parameters were tested for their relation with IVF laboratory parameters.


RESULTS
The OV, FV, VI, FI and VFI were significantly greater in the pregnant group. The NF and FV were the only independent predictors of the number of oocytes retrieved, mature and fertilized, and the number of embryos developed and their cumulative embryo score. Nevertheless, the number of grade 1 embryos depends on the NF and the VI. The ovarian FI and the number of transferred grade 1 embryos can predict gestation in 76% of IVF patients. A low FI and non-grade 1 embryo transferred are also associated with an increased pregnancy loss.


CONCLUSIONS
3D ultrasonography and PDA allow for an easier ovarian assessment in IVF cycles. The predictive value of IVF outcome suggests a high clinical usefulness of this new technique.
Mercé
Luis T
LT
Assisted Reproduction Unit, International Ruber Hospital, Madrid, Spain. ltmerce@segotox.es
Bau
Santiago
S
Barco
María J
MJ
Troyano
Juan
J
Gay
Rosina
R
Sotos
Florencia
F
Villa
Amelia
A
D000328:Adult; D000792:Angiography; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D009929:Organ Size; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010053:Ovary / Q000098:blood supply*; D011379:Prognosis; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin