ABSTRACT
AIM: To investigate the predictive value of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) and antral follicle count (AFC) on the final number of oocytes retrieved and the availability of embryos for cryopreservation in in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this prospective study, one hundred and twenty women in their first IVF treatment were enrolled. The short stimulation agonist protocol was used for controlled ovarian hyperstimulation in all cases. Serum AMH levels were measured during the menstrual cycle preceding treatment. AFC was measured in cycle day 2, just before starting ovarian stimulation. RESULTS: A strong, positive correlation between AMH, AFC and the number of collected oocytes was found. The patients with available and suitable supplementary embryos for cryopreservation had higher levels of AMH and larger numbers of AFC. CONCLUSION: AMH and AFC appear to be valuable markers mainly for ovarian reserve and response to IVF treatment. Serum AMH levels and AFC are significantly associated with the number of retrieved oocytes. Also, a positive correlation with the availability of supernumerary embryos suitable for cryopreservation was observed.
Subject(s)
Anti-Mullerian Hormone/blood , Biomarkers/blood , Cryopreservation/methods , Embryo, Mammalian/cytology , Fertilization in Vitro/methods , Oocytes/cytology , Ovarian Follicle/cytology , Adult , Embryo Transfer , Embryo, Mammalian/diagnostic imaging , Embryo, Mammalian/metabolism , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , Female , Follicle Stimulating Hormone/blood , Humans , Ovarian Follicle/diagnostic imaging , Ovarian Follicle/metabolism , Prospective Studies , Ultrasonography , Young AdultABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Human ovary is known to contain polyovular follicles at birth but it is considered to be rare in adult ovaries. CASES: Four cases are presented where binovular complexes were found after ovarian stimulation. The age of women was 22 to 33 years and all of them had a good response to ovarian stimulation. Two different types of binovular complexes were found. The mature oocytes of three binovular complexes were fertilized by ICSI. The generated embryos did not develop beyond the eight-cell stage. CONCLUSION: The mature oocytes of binovular complexes can be fertilized but their developmental potential is limited.