Effect of Antral Follicle Count on in Vitro Fertilization Outcome

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of number and size of antral follicles on ovarian reserve and subsequently in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcome. Material and Method: 44 patients treated with IVF in the Infertility Clinic of Zeynep Kamil Women's and Children Disease Education and Research Hospital (Istanbul, Turkey) were prospectively included in this study. On the third day of menstrual bleeding, transvaginal ultrasound was performed. Antral follicle count (AFC) and antral follicle (AF) size were recorded in these patients. Group I as AF > 5mm and Group II as AF <= 5mm were defined. The patients underwent controlled ovarian hyperstimulation with recFSH following. Results: Our findings indicated that there was not a statistical difference in number of total oocytes (11.03 +/- 6.59 vs. 13.71 +/- 5.38), embryos (5.7 +/- 4.46 vs. 7.29 +/- 5.05) and pregnancy rates (76.7% vs. 71.4%) between groups according to antral follicle size (AF <= 5mm vs. AF > 5 mm). Under the area of ROC curve estimations for ovarian response revealed that antral follicle (AF) > 5 mm had the largest area 0.675 +/- 0.083 (0.517-0.808). Discussion: There might be an association between AF that is larger than 5 mm in size and number of retrieved mature oocytes. Since AFC, is a routine screening test in any IVF center, we believe paying closer attention to the measurement of AFC that are larger than 5 mm in size might help clinicians to achieve more successful outcomes in terms of on embryo quality and pregnancy outcome in women undergoing an in vitro fertilization.