title: The presence of ovarian endometriomas is associated with a reduced responsiveness to gonadotropins.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To clarify whether the presence of ovarian endometriomas is associated with a reduced responsiveness to ovarian hyperstimulation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Observational study.
  
  
  METHODS
  University teaching hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Women selected for in vitro fertilization-intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF-ICSI) cycles who were found to have unilateral ovarian endometriomas and who did not undergo previous ovarian surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ovarian hyperstimulation using gonadotropins.
  
  
  METHODS
  Number of codominant follicles (mean diameter >15 mm) in the affected and in the contralateral intact gonads.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-six patients were enrolled. They underwent 56 IVF-ICSI cycles. The number of codominant follicles in the intact and affected ovaries were 4.0 +/- 2.2 and 3.0 +/- 1.7, respectively (P=.01). This difference corresponded to a mean reduction (95% confidence interval [CI]) of 25% (6%-44%). This deleterious effect was more evident in women with larger cysts, in those with more than one cyst, and in those who were more responsive to ovarian hyperstimulation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The presence of ovarian endometriomas is associated with a reduced responsiveness to gonadotropins.
authors.affiliation: Infertility Unit, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Neonatology, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Mangiagalli and Regina Elena, Milan, Italy. dadosomigliana@yahoo.it
authors.forename: Edgardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Somigliana
authors.forename: Mirco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Infantino
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Benedetti
authors.forename: Mariangela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arnoldi
authors.forename: Graziella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Calanna
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ragni
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015897:Comorbidity; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006062:Gonadotropins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D010049:Ovarian Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D006062:Gonadotropins