Ovarian reserve and bmi between fertile and subfertile women

To compare the ovarian reserve and BMI in fertile and subfertile women aged 20-39 years by ultrasonography. A comparative study. The Ultrasound Clinic, PECHS, Karachi, from March to December 2006. Eighty women, 40 fertile and 40 subfertile, were subdivided into age groups of 20-29 and 30-39 years. Total ovarian volume [OV] was determined transabdominally [OV-TA] and tranvaginally [OV-TV], antral follicle count [AFC] was performed transvaginally; and BMI was calculated. Unpaired t-test and Pearson correlation tests were used for analysis. In the total and subfertile females, aged 20-29 years, OV-TA obtained was 10.47 +/- 3.81 ml vs. 7.0 +/- 2.67 [p=0.015], OV-TA was 12.55 +/- 4.53 ml vs. 8.36 +/- 2.36 ml [p=0.001]; AFC was 7.35 +/- 3.02 vs. 5.7 +/- 3.57 [p=0.027] and BMI was 23.4 +/- 3.9 vs. 26.5 +/- 4.7 [p=0.006]. In the older group of fertile and subfertile females, aged 30-39 years, OV-TA was 7.92 +/- 2.01 ml vs. 6.74 +/- 2.38 [p=0.097], OV-TA was 9.97 +/- 2.99 vs. 7.73 +/- 2.40 p=0.012], AFC was 5.30 +/- 2.05 vs. 3.05 +/- 2.46 [p=0.003], and BMI was 24.4 +/- 3.8 vs. 27.4 +/- 4.80 [p=0.034]. A significant negative correlation was present between ovarian volume and BMI in the older fertile women only [p=0.001 r=0.3] whereas no significant correlation was seen in the two parameters in any other group [r=0.1]. The ovarian reserve decreased with increasing age. The lack of ovarian reserve may lead to subfertility of early ovarian ageing. Ovarian volume showed decrease with an increase in the BMI, indicating the possible decrease in fertility with an increase in a woman's weight

Ovarian reserve and reproductive age

Ovarian reserve is an estimate of the primordial follicle pool in the ovaries and is indicative of the reproductive age of a woman. This estimate helps in assessing a woman's reproductive potential, in predicting her possible response in assisted conception, and in screening women for "early ovarian ageing" as a possible cause for subfertility. Over the years, several methods have been used for its determination. These include biochemical parameters such as estradiol, FSH/LH levels and ratio, inhibin-B and anti-mullerian hormone levels, sonographic measurement of ovarian volume, antral follicle count and follicular volume, dynamic tests of ovarian function, and ovarian biopsy. In this paper these methods are briefly described, and their advantages and disadvantantages are discussed with a view to finding accurate, available and easily reproducible methods for assessing ovarian reserve. This article is a review of several articles obtained from the Internet, www.pubmed.com, Pakistan scientific and technological information centre [PASTIC] and several authors via e-mail

Ovarian reserve in fertile women as determined by ultrasonography

To determine ovarian reserve in naturally fertile adult women. Cross-sectional, analytical study. Healthy fertile females [n = 70] aged 20-39 years with proven natural fertility were recruited between March and December 2006. Of these, 40 met the inclusion criteria. Total ovarian volume was calculated using the transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasound approach and an antral follicle count was performed transvaginally. The height and weight of each individual was taken to calculate the BMI, and the correlation made between ovarian volume [determined transvaginally] and the BMI. The women were divided into 2 groups of 20 each viz, between 20-29 years, and between 30-39 years. Total ovarian volume determined by transabdominal scan was 13 +/- 3.46 ml and 7.92 +/- 2.0 ml respectively in the two groups, and by transvaginal route was 15.13 +/- 4.37 ml and 9.97 +/- 2.99 ml respectively [p-value of both was 0.001].The AFC was 9.40 +/- 2.37and 5.3 +/- 2.05 in the two groups [p-value 0.001]. The BMI of the 2 groups was 23.4 +/- 3.97 and 24.4 +/- 3.8 [p-value 0.421].The correlation between ovarian volume and BMI was -0.40 [p-value 0.05]. Ovarian volume and antral follicle count were reduced significantly in the older age group; there was no difference between the BMI of the two age groups. When BMI of all women was plotted against ovarian volume, a decrease in the ovarian volume was observed with an increase in BMI

Effect of nicotine on the morphology of adrenal cortex

The morphological effects of nicotine on the adrenal cortex have been observed in this study to get supportive evidence whether nicotine has some effect on the adrenal cortex; as regards the morphology. Animals were divided into three groups, which comprised group A control group, group B treated group and group C placebo group. Among these animals half of the animals from each group were sacrificed after 40 days and the remaining half after 60 days of treatment. Group A was control group, group B was given Nicotine Sigma 1 mg/kg body weight daily intra peritoneally for 50 days and B2 for 60 days. Group C and C 1, were given the same quantity of saline intra peritoneally daily for same period. On autopsy adrenals were removed and fixed in normal saline. 5 micron thick sections in paraffin and 10 micron thick frozen sections were studied for the cortical zones, cell size in each zone and among of lipid in cortical cells. It was observed that in treated group there was no change in B1 group but there was a marked hypertrophy of fasciculata cells with increased width of zona fasciculata. To conclude, the present study supports the view that nicotine has stimulant effect on the adrenal cortex and prolonged administration of the drug can induce morphological changes in fasciculata cells