title: Correlations between antral follicle count and ultrasonographic ovarian parameters and clinical variables and outcomes in IVF cycles.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the correlation between the antral follicle count (AFC) and other ultrasonographic parameters and clinical variables in in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pretreatment ultrasonographic evaluation included AFC (total), large (5-10 mm) and small (2-4 mm) antral follicles, ovarian volume, and ovarian Doppler indices. Data were prospectively uploaded and subsequently analysed in relation to IVF cycle results.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study included 128 women (128 cycles). Analysis of body mass index (BMI) yielded a weak significant correlation with large (5-10 mm) AFC but not with other sonographic variables. AFC was significantly correlated with patient age, ovarian volume, number of retrieved oocytes, total dose of used gonadotropins, peak estradiol, number of top-quality embryos, and number of frozen embryos and marginally correlated with number of aspirated immature oocytes. Lower large (5-10 mm) AFC was the only ovarian parameter associated with oral contraception pretreatment compared to nontreatment, even after adjustment for age and BMI. There was no difference in any of the parameters between short and long IVF cycles.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  BMI is only weakly correlated with AFC. Pretreatment with oral contraceptives may be associated with lower AFC. Pretreatment with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (long protocol) does not alter the ultrasonographic ovarian parameters.
authors: Infertility and IVF Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Helen Schneider Hospital for Women, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, Petach Tikva, 49100, Israel. yudavi@inter.net.il
authors: Avi
authors: A
authors: Ben-Haroush
authors: Jacob
authors: J
authors: Farhi
authors: Yasmin
authors: Y
authors: Zahalka
authors: Onit
authors: O
authors: Sapir
authors: Israel
authors: I
authors: Meizner
authors: Benjamin
authors: B
authors: Fisch
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002452:Cell Count; D005260:Female; D005300:Fertility Agents, Female / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000166:cytology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010053:Ovary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000379:methods; D011247:Pregnancy; D011379:Prognosis; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler
chemical_list: D005300:Fertility Agents, Female