Ovarian reserve in fertile women as determined by ultrasonography

ABSTRACT

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