Ovarian Volume Measurement by Ultrasound in Infertile Patients and its Clinical Usefulness as a Predictor of Ovarian Reserve

Kim, K S; Kim, C H; Kim, D H; Park, C M; Lee, Y H; Cho, Y L; Jeon, S S

Abstract

A number of parameters such as a women`s age, basal FSH and E2 value have been identified as predictors of success with assited reproductive technology (ART) primarily by predicting ovarian responsiveness to ovulation induction but there are very few non-inavsive unstimulated outcome predictors available to patients before starting on ART cycle. The objective of our study was to determine ovarian volume in infertile women with ultrasound on cycle day 3~5, to compare ovarian volume with patients` age, basal FSH, E2 level and to assess the usefulness of ovarian volume as a predictor of ovarian reserve. Total thirty seven infertile women met the following study entrance criteria: (1) both ovaries were present and contained no ovarian cysts > or =10 mm or greater in diameter, (2) no history of endometrioma, dermoid or PCO, (3) no recent use of infertility drugs and (4) no history of ovarian surgery. On cycle day 3~5, the length, height, and width of each ovaries were determined by transabdominal ultrasound in the parasagittal and transverse planes. All patients had blood samples for measure of basal FSH and E2 drawn at the same day. The basal serum FSH and E2 value (mean+/-SD) were 7.79+/-2.54 IU/L and 47.58+/-30.48 pg/ml. The mean volume of right ovary, left ovary and total ovaries was 7.99+/-3.63 cm3, 7.48+/-4.63 cm3 and 7.7+/-4.07 cm3 respectively and the mean total ovarian volume (sum of right and left ovaries) was 14.88+/-7.05 cm3. No significant differences in volume were noted between right and left ovaries. The relationship between total ovarian volume and age was somewhat correlated (r=0.37) but did not change significantly with age in this study group. There was no correlation between total ovarian volume and basal FSH level (r=-0.03) but a significant correlation between total ovarian volume and basal E2 level (r=0.58).