title: A practical method for ultrasonographically monitoring the day-to-day growth of individual ovarian follicles in women undergoing assisted reproduction.
abstract: The objective of this study was to validate the use of the nonidentity (NonID) method compared with the identity (ID) method for tracking the day-to-day growth of individual follicles in women undergoing ovarian stimulation for assisted reproduction. A retrospective observational study was conducted in 20 women during ovarian stimulation. Conventional 2-D transvaginal ultrasonography was used to monitor follicle growth every 2-3 days throughout stimulation. Video clips of both ovaries were obtained in sagittal and coronal planes at each visit. Standardized diameter measurements of all follicles ≥4 mm were made retrospectively from video clips. The growth profiles of all follicles that developed to ≥10 mm were determined using the ID and NonID methods. Using Lin's concordance statistics, we documented that agreement between methods was 91% for follicles <10 mm, 96% for follicles 10-15 mm and 99% for follicles >15 mm. Lin's concordance correlation coefficient between the two methods was 0.96 (standard error = 0.003). We concluded that the NonID method is a practical, effective tool for monitoring the day-to-day growth of individual ovarian follicles in women undergoing assisted reproduction.
authors.affiliation: Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
authors.forename: Desiree
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rouleau
authors.forename: Allison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Case
authors.forename: Adrian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gamelin
authors.forename: Hyun
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baerwald
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000254:growth & development*; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014463:Ultrasonography