title: Antral follice counts (AFC) predict ovarian response and pregnancy outcomes in oocyte donation cycles.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Antral follicle count (AFC) is used as a marker of ovarian response. We assessed its value in predicting pregnancy outcomes in ovum donation cycles by retrospective review.
  
  
  METHODS
  Oocyte donors (n = 94) underwent ovarian hyperstimulation using rFSH and GnRH-antagonists. Recipients were synchronized using GnRH-agonist down-regulation followed by fixed dose of estrogen and progesterone following hCG. Outcomes measured included correlation of AFC to pregnancy outcomes and cycle characteristics in those with and without clinical and ongoing-delivered cycles.
  
  
  RESULTS
  AFC significantly correlated with clinical [Exp beta 1.12; 95% CI: 1.02-1.23, p < 0.05] and ongoing-delivered pregnancy [Exp beta 1.10; 95% CI: 1.01-1.20, p < 0.05]. Significantly greater AFC, total and M-2 oocytes, and cycles resulting in cryopreserved embryos were seen in clinical and ongoing-delivered cycles.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  AFC predicts cycle stimulation responses and clinical outcomes and may serve as a guide for dosing protocols and in choosing to proceed with the most optimal cycle.
authors.affiliation: Center for Reproductive Health, Cincinnati, OH 45219, USA.
authors.forename: Alaina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vrontikis
authors.forename: Peter L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kovacs
authors.forename: Steven R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Lindheim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D006801:Humans; D018587:Oocyte Donation; D009865:Oocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011374:Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D011374:Progesterone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone
references.citation: Fertil Steril. 1995 Nov;64(5):991-4
references.pmid: 7589648
references.citation: J Assist Reprod Genet. 2001 Feb;18(2):91-6
references.pmid: 11285987
references.citation: Hum Reprod Update. 2006 Nov-Dec;12(6):685-718
references.pmid: 16891297
references.citation: Hum Reprod. 1999 Jan;14(1):183-5
references.pmid: 10374117
references.citation: Hum Reprod. 2002 Dec;17(12):3065-71
references.pmid: 12456604
references.citation: Hum Reprod. 1997 Feb;12(2):220-3
references.pmid: 9070699
references.citation: Fertil Steril. 2003 Aug;80(2):350-5
references.pmid: 12909498
references.citation: Fertil Steril. 2009 Jan;91(1):148-56
references.pmid: 18455166
references.citation: Fertil Steril. 1991 Apr;55(4):784-91
references.pmid: 1901282
references.citation: Fertil Steril. 1999 Nov;72(5):845-51
references.pmid: 10560988
references.citation: Hum Reprod Update. 2002 Mar-Apr;8(2):141-54
references.pmid: 12099629
references.citation: Fertil Steril. 2004 Jan;81(1):35-41
references.pmid: 14711542
references.citation: Fertil Steril. 2002 Feb;77(2):328-36
references.pmid: 11821092
references.citation: Hum Reprod. 2003 Jan;18(1):35-44
references.pmid: 12525438
references.citation: BJOG. 2004 Nov;111(11):1248-53
references.pmid: 15521870
references.citation: Fertil Steril. 2009 Apr;91(4 Suppl):1595-7
references.pmid: 19100533
references.citation: Fertil Steril. 1998 Mar;69(3):505-10
references.pmid: 9531887
references.citation: Fertil Steril. 2009 Mar;91(3):705-14
references.pmid: 18321493
references.citation: Fertil Steril. 2006 Jul;86(1):58-63
references.pmid: 16753156
references.citation: Hum Reprod. 2004 Dec;19(12):2811-5
references.pmid: 15358718
references.citation: Fertil Steril. 2004 Apr;81(4):1073-8
references.pmid: 15066466
references.citation: Fertil Steril. 1989 Apr;51(4):651-4
references.pmid: 2494082
references.citation: Fertil Steril. 1995 Dec;64(6):1136-40
references.pmid: 7589666
references.citation: Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1996 Nov;175(5):1226-30
references.pmid: 8942492
references.citation: Fertil Steril. 2003 Sep;80(3):577-83
references.pmid: 12969701
references.citation: Fertil Steril. 1997 Jan;67(1):110-4
references.pmid: 8986693
references.citation: Fertil Steril. 2000 Sep;74(3):512-7
references.pmid: 10973648
references.citation: Curr Med Res Opin. 2007 Sep;23(9):2297-302
references.pmid: 17697455
references.citation: Fertil Steril. 1995 Jan;63(1):1-11
references.pmid: 7805895
references.citation: Fertil Steril. 2005 Feb;83(2):291-301
references.pmid: 15705365