The predictive value of antral follicle count remains unchanged across the menstrual cycle.
OBJECTIVE
To explore whether the predictive value of antral follicle count (AFC) changes when measured at different times during the menstrual cycle. Antimüllerian hormone (AMH) and AFC are considered to be equally predictive of poor ovarian response; however, AMH is considered to have an advantage over AFC, because AMH concentrations can be measured at any time during the menstrual cycle.


METHODS
Retrospective cohort study.


METHODS
Private IVF clinic.


METHODS
A total of 3,117 patients with a transvaginal ultrasound within 3 months before their first IVF cycle.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Receiver operating curves (ROCs) were constructed for AFC as a screening test for poor ovarian response (fewer than four eggs collected). The areas under the curve (AUCs) were compared for ROCs from patients at different phases of the cycle.


RESULTS
When all patients except those with polycystic ovaries were included, the AUC was 0.79. Further subgroup ROC analyses revealed that the AUCs did not differ significantly when AFC was measured at different phases of the menstrual cycle.


CONCLUSIONS
AFC can be measured regardless of the phase of the menstrual cycle without apparent effect on its predictive value for poor ovarian response.
Women's and Children's Program, Southern Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. lrombauts@monashivf.com
Luk
L
Rombauts
Joseph L
JL
Onwude
Hong W
HW
Chew
Beverley J
BJ
Vollenhoven
D000328:Adult; D002452:Cell Count / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D008423:Maternal Age; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000502:physiology*; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000166:cytology* / Q000473:pathology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012372:ROC Curve; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome