title: Impact of pituitary suppression on antral follicle count and oocyte recovery after ovarian stimulation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the potential influence of short-term pituitary suppression on antral follicle count (AFC) and correlate the AFC with the number of oocytes retrieved after ovarian stimulation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  University fertility center.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 1,479 infertile patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients had baseline AFC, when they were not on any medications known to cause pituitary suppression, and follow-up AFC (suppressed AFC) while on E2, GnRH agonist (GnRH-a), oral contraceptive (OC) pills, or OC pills/GnRH-a in preparation for ovarian stimulation, performed within 6 months of initial baseline AFC.
  
  
  METHODS
  The AFC at baseline, AFC during pituitary suppression, and the number of oocytes retrieved.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Although there was an average unadjusted decline of 0.4, 0.9, 2.2, and 3.0 in AFC while patients were on E2, GnRH-a, OC pills, and OC pills/GnRH-a, respectively, this decline was driven by age, baseline AFC, and the hormones used. Although baseline and suppressed AFC were found to be good predictors of the number of oocytes retrieved after ovarian stimulation, statistically, suppressed AFC was found to be a marginally better predictor.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Short-term pituitary suppression has a negative impact on AFC. This decline in AFC may influence the number of oocytes retrieved, suggesting the suppressive impact of exogenous hormones on the biological capacity of the ovary during stimulation.
authors.affiliation: Center for Reproductive Health, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California. Electronic address: Nam.Tran@ucsf.edu.
authors.forename: Nam D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Tran
authors.affiliation: Center for Reproductive Health, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California.
authors.forename: Lusine
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Aghajanova
authors.affiliation: Center for Reproductive Health, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California.
authors.forename: Chia-Ning
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Kao
authors.affiliation: Center for Reproductive Health, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California.
authors.forename: Marcelle I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Cedars
authors.affiliation: Center for Reproductive Health, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California.
authors.forename: Mitchell P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Rosen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000187:drug effects; D005300:Fertility Agents, Female / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007018:Hypopituitarism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D054315:Oocyte Retrieval; D009865:Oocytes / Q000187:drug effects*; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects*; D010053:Ovary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010060:Ovulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000379:methods*; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D005300:Fertility Agents, Female
keywords: Pituitary suppression; antral follicle count; oocyte number