Dynamics of FSH-induced follicular growth in subfertile women: relationship with age, insulin resistance, oocyte yield and anti-Mullerian hormone.
BACKGROUND
During excess FSH treatment, different categories of follicles can be discerned: those responding and appearing to grow immediately (FolsS8) and those appearing subsequently during the follicular phase (Fols/d). These follicular categories were explored in cycles of assisted reproduction in the context of follicular biology, including primordial follicle pool (PFP) depletion, age, insulin resistance and potential markers.


METHODS
Follicular cohorts were examined in 365 conventional ART cycles and related to patient insulin sensitivity, plasma FSH and anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH).


RESULTS
Age had no influence upon the FolsS8 category but was associated with a significant (P < 0.005) decline in the Fols/d. In contrast, insulin-resistant polycystic ovary syndrome (IR-PCOS) showed a significant (P = 0.005) increase in FolsS8. Circulating AMH correlated strongly with oocyte yield and Fols/d.


CONCLUSIONS
Age showed little impact on the initial follicular cohort, but a significant impact upon the secondary cohort, while insulin resistance appeared to promote the former category alone. The disturbance to follicular dynamics and AMH in IR-PCOS reflected a larger stockpile of FSH-sensitive follicles. Circulating AMH appears to represent all categories of antral follicles observed.
Fleming
R
R
Assisted Conception Unit, Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, UK. r.fleming@udcf.gla.ac.uk
Deshpande
N
N
Traynor
I
I
Yates
R W S
RW
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D054304:Anti-Mullerian Hormone; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D009865:Oocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy; D013735:Testicular Hormones / Q000378:metabolism*
D006023:Glycoproteins; D007328:Insulin; D013735:Testicular Hormones; D054304:Anti-Mullerian Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone