title: Age-specific nomogram for the decline in antral follicle count throughout the reproductive period.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the relationship between antral follicle count (AFC) and chronological age and to establish normal values for AFC in women with regular menstrual cycles.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  University hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four hundred fifteen premenopausal women were recruited for the study. Data from 362 patients were available for the statistical analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  AFC was measured by transvaginal ultrasound examination.
  
  
  METHODS
  Estimating the relationship between AFC and age and developing the AFC nomogram.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The analysis showed a linear decline in AFC with age; for every year increase in age, the median AFC decreases by 0.4. The AFC corresponding to the 5th, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 95th centiles for each age have been calculated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A linear relationship of AFC to age was found. For the first time, a nomogram reporting normal and interquartile values for AFC, age by age, throughout the reproductive period has been provided. Until now, the interpretation of the measurement was mainly based on the individual experience of the operator, because no normative data were present. Therefore, the establishment of a nomogram of AFC values is the first step to counsel patients on a scientific basis.
authors.affiliation: Mother-Infant Department, Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy. antlamarca@libero.it
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: La Marca
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Spada
authors.forename: Giovanna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sighinolfi
authors.forename: Cindy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Argento
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tirelli
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Giulini
authors.forename: Silvano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Milani
authors.forename: Annibale
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Volpe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D002452:Cell Count / Q000592:standards; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003944:Diagnostic Techniques, Obstetrical and Gynecological / Q000592:standards; D015536:Down-Regulation; D005260:Female; D006262:Health; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D049451:Nomograms; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000166:cytology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012016:Reference Values; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology*; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055815:Young Adult