Antral follicle count (AFC) can be used in the prediction of ovarian response but cannot predict the oocyte/embryo quality or the in vitro fertilization outcome in an egg donation program
Marco Antonio Barreto Melo, Nicolás Garrido, Claudio Alvarez, José Bellver, Marcos Meseguer, Antonio Pellicer, José Remohí, Marco Antonio Barreto Melo, Nicolás Garrido, Claudio Alvarez, José Bellver, Marcos Meseguer, Antonio Pellicer, José Remohí
Abstract
Objective: To verify whether the antral follicle count (AFC) could predict ovarian response, oocyte/embryo quality, and IVF outcome.
Design: Prospective study.
Setting: Instituto Universitario-Instituto Valenciano de Infertilidad, Valencia, Spain.
Patient(s): One thousand seventy-four donors and 975 oocyte recipient cycles.
Intervention(s): Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH), endometrial preparation, IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection, ET.
Main outcome measure(s): COH and oocyte/embryo quality parameters and IVF outcome.
Result(s): We observed lower E(2) levels and fewer mature retrieved oocyte numbers among donors who showed an AFC that was <10. These donors also showed significantly higher cancellation and no-donation rates; poor and/or insufficient response was the principal cause (82%). However, there were no differences among the groups regarding embryo development parameters and IVF outcome.
Conclusion(s): AFC is a noninvasive and simple tool that can improve the oocyte donor's selection of an egg donation program. This study suggests that AFC is a good predictor of ovarian response but cannot be used to predict oocyte/embryo quality or IVF outcome.
Source: PubMed