Power Doppler assessment of follicle vascularity at the time of oocyte retrieval in in vitro fertilization cycles.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the practicality of using power Doppler (PD) to assess follicular vascularity at the time of oocyte retrieval.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
University-affiliated IVF unit.


METHODS
Twenty-six women undergoing IVF treatment.


METHODS
Evaluation of follicular vascularity by using PD during oocyte retrieval.


METHODS
Subjective assessment of the impact of PD estimation of follicle vascularity during oocyte retrieval; reproducibility of grading of follicle vascularity.


RESULTS
Assessment of follicle vascularity by using PD during oocyte retrieval was found to be reproducible and to add minimally to the workload of the clinician and embryologist. The grade of follicle vascularity did not correlate with the yield of oocytes, fertilization rate, or concentration of hormones in follicular fluid. Although the study group was small, there was a statistically significant trend toward higher clinical pregnancy rates when the embryo transfer cohort contained at least one embryo from a highly vascular follicle (50% vs. 15.4%).


CONCLUSIONS
Assessment of follicle vascularity by using PD at the time of oocyte retrieval was found to be a practical alternative to other methods.
Robson
Stephen J
SJ
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Australian National University, Canberra Hospital, Canberra, Australia. steve.robson@act.gov.au
Barry
Michael
M
Norman
Robert J
RJ
D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010064:Embryo Implantation; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy*; D054315:Oocyte Retrieval; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000098:blood supply*; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional / Q000379:methods*