A new approach to ovarian reserve testing.
OBJECTIVE
To critically examine ovarian reserve testing before assisted reproduction.


METHODS
A PUBMED computer search to identify relevant literature.


METHODS
Multiple sites.


METHODS
Patients undergoing assisted reproduction.


METHODS
Testing for ovarian reserve.


METHODS
Assisted reproductive technology (ART) and pregnancy outcomes.


RESULTS
The prevalence of ovarian insufficiency varies significantly for women aged 30-45 years. Generalization or averaging of threshold values across different aged women leads to very poor sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value for all tests of ovarian reserve. Because of the changing prevalence of ovarian insufficiency, there is no single, suitable threshold value for any screening test of ovarian reserve. Our analysis supports dividing impaired ovarian reserve into two groups: age-dependent ovarian aging (physiologic) and premature (nonphysiologic) reductions in the oocyte pool. Interpretation of any screening test used requires that age is considered as a variable. To guide clinical interpretation of test results, we suggest using a nomogram of FSH values versus expected delivery rate-per-cycle-start with ART for a given age.


CONCLUSIONS
Proper interpretation of screening tests for ovarian insufficiency in couples considering ART is important as the presence of impaired ovarian reserve is associated with a low likelihood of pregnancy. The condition of premature (nonphysiologic) ovarian insufficiency warrants additional research.
Sun
Wenjie
W
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA.
Stegmann
Barbara J
BJ
Henne
Melinda
M
Catherino
William H
WH
Segars
James H
JH
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D043373:Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Human / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D010049:Ovarian Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D010050:Ovarian Function Tests; D010053:Ovary / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D016649:Primary Ovarian Insufficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D015415:Biomarkers; D043373:Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Human