Prospective evaluation of automated follicle monitoring in 58 in vitro fertilization cycles: follicular volume as a new indicator of oocyte maturity.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the practical use of SonoAVC in an IVF program, and to establish new criteria for hCG administration based on follicular volume.


METHODS
Prospective clinical study.


METHODS
Private IVF Center.


METHODS
Fifty-eight women with infertility undergoing IVF.


METHODS
Two dimensional (2D) and three dimensional (3D) scanning on the day of hCG administration.


METHODS
Image quality, mean follicular diameter obtained by 2D and 3D sonography, follicular volume, number of oocytes retrieved, number of mature oocytes, time needed for each examination.


RESULTS
Approximately 60% of the patients included in this study had good image quality and could be monitored by 3D scans with subsequent application of the SonoAVC software. When image quality is good, measurements obtained by the automated mode are comparable to those obtained manually in 62% of cases. Automated monitoring is significantly quicker than conventional manual monitoring. Follicles with a measured volume >/=0.6 cc on the day of hCG administration are associated with the finding of mature oocytes at the time of egg retrieval.


CONCLUSIONS
SonoAVC allows reliable evaluation of stimulated ovaries, and may help us establish new criteria for timing hCG administration based on follicular volume estimation rather than follicular size. Software improvements are needed to improve universal patient use.
Centro de Asistencia a la Reproducción Humana de Canarias, La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain.
Adela
A
Rodríguez-Fuentes
Jairo
J
Hernández
Rocío
R
García-Guzman
Elena
E
Chinea
Laura
L
Iaconianni
Angela
A
Palumbo
D001331:Automation; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000628:therapy; D054315:Oocyte Retrieval / Q000379:methods; D009865:Oocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology; D010053:Ovary / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012984:Software; D014463:Ultrasonography
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin