title: Antral follicle count (AFC) can be used in the prediction of ovarian response but cannot predict the oocyte/embryo quality or the in vitro fertilization outcome in an egg donation program.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To verify whether the antral follicle count (AFC) could predict ovarian response, oocyte/embryo quality, and IVF outcome.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Instituto Universitario-Instituto Valenciano de Infertilidad, Valencia, Spain.
  
  
  METHODS
  One thousand seventy-four donors and 975 oocyte recipient cycles.
  
  
  METHODS
  Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH), endometrial preparation, IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection, ET.
  
  
  METHODS
  COH and oocyte/embryo quality parameters and IVF outcome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We observed lower E(2) levels and fewer mature retrieved oocyte numbers among donors who showed an AFC that was <10. These donors also showed significantly higher cancellation and no-donation rates; poor and/or insufficient response was the principal cause (82%). However, there were no differences among the groups regarding embryo development parameters and IVF outcome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  AFC is a noninvasive and simple tool that can improve the oocyte donor's selection of an egg donation program. This study suggests that AFC is a good predictor of ovarian response but cannot be used to predict oocyte/embryo quality or IVF outcome.
authors.affiliation: Instituto Valenciano de Infertilidad, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain. mmelo@ivi.es
authors.forename: Marco Antonio Barreto
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Melo
authors.forename: Nicolás
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Garrido
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Alvarez
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bellver
authors.forename: Marcos
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Meseguer
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pellicer
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Remohí
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002452:Cell Count; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000502:physiology*; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005300:Fertility Agents, Female / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005306:Fertilization / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006062:Gonadotropins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D016729:Leuprolide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018587:Oocyte Donation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D054315:Oocyte Retrieval / Q000379:methods; D009865:Oocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000166:cytology*; D010053:Ovary / Q000502:physiology*; D018579:Patient Selection; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D013030:Spain; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014621:Vagina / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D005300:Fertility Agents, Female; D006062:Gonadotropins; D016729:Leuprolide