Increased basal FSH levels as predictors of low-quality follicles in infertile women with endometriosis.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether basal levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and anti-müllerian hormone (AMH), antral follicle count (AFC), and the numbers of dominant follicles, oocytes, and mature oocytes retrieved after ovarian stimulation differed between infertile women with endometriosis and healthy women undergoing assisted reproduction techniques (ART).


METHODS
Of 77 consecutive ART candidates, 27 were infertile and had endometriosis. A male factor caused the infertility of the other 50, who acted as controls.


RESULTS
The AMH and AFC levels were similar in the 2 groups. The FSH levels were higher (8.28 mIU/mL [range, 5.25-24.1 mIU/mL] vs 5.91 mIU/mL [range, 2.47-18.7 mIU/mL]; P<0.01) in the study group. And the numbers of retrieved (n=5 [range, 0-12] vs n=9 [range, 0-27; P<0.05) and mature oocytes (n=4 [range, 0-11] vs n=5 [range, 0-16]; P<0.05) were less in the study group.


CONCLUSIONS
Because AMH levels were unchanged, endometriosis seems not to damage the primordial pool of follicles and oocytes, but to lessen the quality of the ovarian response to the hCG injection. Basal FSH levels may be of value in predicting ART success in women with the disease.
de Carvalho
Bruno Ramalho
BR
Service of Human Reproduction, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil. bruno@genesis.med.br
Rosa-e-Silva
Ana Carolina Japur de Sá
AC
Rosa-e-Silva
Júlio César
JC
dos Reis
Rosana Maria
RM
Ferriani
Rui Alberto
RA
Silva-de-Sá
Marcos Felipe
MF
D000328:Adult; D054304:Anti-Mullerian Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002452:Cell Count; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D009865:Oocytes / Q000166:cytology; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000473:pathology*; D010062:Ovulation Induction
D054304:Anti-Mullerian Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone