Human Reproduction Update, Vol.7, No.6 pp.581-590, 2001
© European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology 2001; all rights reserved
Ovarian reserve testing and the use of prognostic models in patients with subfertility
1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Section of Reproductive Medicine, University Hospital Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
To whom correspondence should be addressed at: A. Bukman, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Section of Reproductive Medicine, University Hospital Groningen, P.O. Box 30.001, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands. e-mail: a.bukman{at}og.azg.nl
Abstract
The decline in fecundity with female age is a well-known phenomenon for clinicians dealing with subfertility patients. Diminishing ovarian reserve seems to be the reason for declining fecundity. Since age is only a rough estimate of ovarian reserve, many tests have been developed to predict ovarian reserve more precisely. This review focuses on these ovarian reserve tests and their clinical role in predicting response to ovarian stimulation and pregnancy chances. According to our analysis, the clomiphene citrate challenge test has the strongest correlation in predicting ovarian reserve, and is the only test that is validated in the general infertility population. The antral follicle count by ultrasound is promising and may offer clinical use. It is not known whether a combination of tests can provide more accurate information of ovarian reserve. It is not yet clear to which extent the results of ovarian reserve tests can be incorporated into the available prognostic models. There is a need for prospective cohort studies that focus on prognostic factors among which are the results of ovarian reserve tests. Only then can the qualitative and quantitative relevance of ovarian reserve testing in the context of the prognosis for couples with subfertility be established.
Key words: age / fecundity / ovarian reserve tests / prognostic models
CiteULike 
Connotea 
Del.icio.us What's this?
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
 |
|
  J. W. van der Steeg, P. Steures, M. J. C. Eijkemans, J. D. F. Habbema, P. G. A. Hompes, F. J. Broekmans, P. X. J. M. Bouckaert, P. M. M. Bossuyt, F. van der Veen, B. W. J. Mol, et al. Predictive Value and Clinical Impact of Basal Follicle-Stimulating Hormone in Subfertile, Ovulatory Women J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., June 1, 2007; 92(6): 2163 - 2168. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 M. McIlveen, J.D. Skull, and W.L. Ledger Evaluation of the utility of multiple endocrine and ultrasound measures of ovarian reserve in the prediction of cycle cancellation in a high-risk IVF population Hum. Reprod., March 1, 2007; 22(3): 778 - 785. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. Maheshwari, P. Fowler, and S. Bhattacharya Assessment of ovarian reserve--should we perform tests of ovarian reserve routinely? Hum. Reprod., November 1, 2006; 21(11): 2729 - 2735. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
V. Martinet, Y. Manigart, S. Rozenberg, B. Becker, M. Gerard, and A. Delvigne Ovarian response to stimulation of HIV-positive patients during IVF treatment: a matched, controlled study Hum. Reprod., May 1, 2006; 21(5): 1212 - 1217. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 E. Somigliana, P. Vercellini, P. Vigano, G. Ragni, and P. G. Crosignani Should endometriomas be treated before IVF-ICSI cycles? Hum. Reprod. Update, January 1, 2006; 12(1): 57 - 64. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 J. M. Wu, M. B. Zelinski, D. K. Ingram, and M. A. Ottinger Ovarian Aging and Menopause: Current Theories, Hypotheses, and Research Models Experimental Biology and Medicine, December 1, 2005; 230(11): 818 - 828. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. Kline, A. Kinney, A. Kelly, M.L. Reuss, and B. Levin Predictors of antral follicle count during the reproductive years Hum. Reprod., August 1, 2005; 20(8): 2179 - 2189. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. Penarrubia, F. Fabregues, D. Manau, M. Creus, G. Casals, R. Casamitjana, F. Carmona, J. A. Vanrell, and J. Balasch Basal and stimulation day 5 anti-Mullerian hormone serum concentrations as predictors of ovarian response and pregnancy in assisted reproductive technology cycles stimulated with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist-gonadotropin treatment Hum. Reprod., April 1, 2005; 20(4): 915 - 922. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 F. P Hohmann, J. S E Laven, F. H de Jong, and B. C J M Fauser Relationship between inhibin A and B, estradiol and follicle growth dynamics during ovarian stimulation in normo-ovulatory women Eur. J. Endocrinol., March 1, 2005; 152(3): 395 - 401. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. Penarrubia, F. Fabregues, D. Manau, M. Creus, F. Carmona, R. Casamitjana, J. A. Vanrell, and J. Balasch Previous cycle cancellation due to poor follicular development as a predictor of ovarian response in cycles stimulated with gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist-gonadotrophin treatment Hum. Reprod., March 1, 2005; 20(3): 622 - 628. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
K. Lutchman Singh, M. Davies, and R. Chatterjee Fertility in female cancer survivors: pathophysiology, preservation and the role of ovarian reserve testing Hum. Reprod. Update, January 1, 2005; 11(1): 69 - 89. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
D.J. Hendriks, F.J.M. Broekmans, L.F.J.M.M. Bancsi, F.H. de Jong, C.W.N. Looman, and E.R. te Velde Repeated clomiphene citrate challenge testing in the prediction of outcome in IVF: a comparison with basal markers for ovarian reserve Hum. Reprod., January 1, 2005; 20(1): 163 - 169. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
A.E.P. Cantineau, M.J. Heineman, H. Al-Inany, and B.J. Cohlen Intrauterine insemination versus Fallopian tube sperm perfusion in non-tubal subfertility: a systematic review based on a Cochrane review Hum. Reprod., December 1, 2004; 19(12): 2721 - 2729. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
E. Tufan, K. Elter, and F. Durmusoglu Assessment of reproductive ageing patterns by hormonal and ultrasonographic ovarian reserve tests Hum. Reprod., November 1, 2004; 19(11): 2484 - 2489. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
E. H. Y. Ng, W. S. B. Yeung, D. Y. T. Fong, and P. C. Ho Effects of age on hormonal and ultrasound markers of ovarian reserve in Chinese women with proven fertility Hum. Reprod., October 1, 2003; 18(10): 2169 - 2174. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
K.L.T. Schmidt, A.G. Byskov, A. Nyboe Andersen, J. Muller, and C. Yding Andersen Density and distribution of primordial follicles in single pieces of cortex from 21 patients and in individual pieces of cortex from three entire human ovaries Hum. Reprod., June 1, 2003; 18(6): 1158 - 1164. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
P. Y.K. Yong, D. T. Baird, K.J. Thong, A. S. McNeilly, and R. A. Anderson Prospective analysis of the relationships between the ovarian follicle cohort and basal FSH concentration, the inhibin response to exogenous FSH and ovarian follicle number at different stages of the normal menstrual cycle and after pituitary down-regulation Hum. Reprod., January 1, 2003; 18(1): 35 - 44. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|