Ovarian volume may predict assisted reproductive outcomes better than follicle stimulating hormone concentration on day 3

This study was undertaken to compare ovarian volume with other factors whic h are important for the success of assisted reproduction, The first treatme nt cycle for 261 patients meeting all entry criteria between September 1993 and June 1995 was considered, All cycles employed the same stimulation pro tocol and no interventions were based upon pre-treatment indicators. Pre-tr eatment ovarian volumes, cycle day 3 follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and oestradiol concentrations, smoking status and age were compared to subsequ ent peak oestradiol concentrations, numbers of oocytes retrieved, cycle can cellation and occurrence of clinical pregnancy, Statistical evaluation was performed using simple and multiple logistic regression analysis to determi ne odds ratios, The resultant odds ratios suggest that age and small ovaria n volume may predict retrieval of fewer mature oocytes, while the failure t o achieve clinical pregnancy was predicted by current smoking and small ova rian volume, Day 3 FSH values failed to be a significant predictor when mat ernal age, smoking status and ovarian volume were known, It can be conclude d that, like maternal age and smoking status, ovarian volume may be a clini cally important predictor of reproductive success, being superior to cycle day 3 FSH or oestradiol concentrations as an assessment of ovarian reserve.