Serum inhibin B during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation: an additional criterion for deciding whether to proceed with egg retrieval.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the predictive value of the inhibin B increment during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) for differentiating between poor and normal responders and for deciding whether to continue or stop an IVF attempt.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
Assisted reproduction unit at a university hospital.


METHODS
A total of 110 women undergoing IVF for idiopathic, tubal, and/or male infertility.


METHODS
Blood samples were collected on days 6 and 8 of COH. Inhibin B and E(2) assays were performed.


METHODS
The degree of inhibin B increment was defined as Delta IB = day-8 value minus day-6 value. We analyzed the correlation of day-6 and day-8 inhibin B values and Delta IB with the number of oocytes retrieved. The predictive value of each parameter was determined by using the receiving operator characteristics curve analysis.


RESULTS
The Delta IB correlated best with the number of oocytes retrieved (r = 0.5) and with the number of embryos obtained (r = 0.26), independently of age. From the receiving operator characteristics curve analysis, a Delta IB cutoff value of 300 pg/mL discriminated poor (few than four oocytes retrieved, n = 16) from normal (more than four oocytes retrieved, n = 94) responders, with a sensitivity of 70% and a specificity of 94%.


CONCLUSIONS
The degree of inhibin B increment during COH provides additional information for predicting ovarian response to COH. An increment >300 pg/mL is required to rule out the eventuality of a poor ovarian response.
Department of Endocrine Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Hôpital Jeanne de Flandre, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire (CHRU), Lille, France. c-decanter@chru-lille.fr
Christine
C
Decanter
Pascal
P
Pigny
Catherine
C
Lefebvre
Patricia
P
Thomas
Maryse
M
Leroy
Didier
D
Dewailly
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004624:Embryo Transfer / Q000379:methods; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007265:Inhibins / Q000097:blood*; D054315:Oocyte Retrieval / Q000379:methods*; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012372:ROC Curve; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic / Q000379:methods; D055815:Young Adult
D015415:Biomarkers; C422364:inhibin B; D004958:Estradiol; D007265:Inhibins; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone