Prognostic factors in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation

Objective: To determine whether the number of retrieved oocytes and the req uired amount of gonadotropins per oocyte in IVF treatment can be predicted with use of the following independent predictive variables: age, parity, ca use of infertility, body mass index, day 3-5 FSH, E-2, inhibin B, ovarian v olume, the number of follicles, and intraovarian and uterine artery vascula r resistance measured by ultrasonography before ovarian hyperstimulation. Design: A retrospective analysis. Setting: University hospital infertility clinic. Patient(s): Seventy-four consecutive women attending the university hospita l infertility clinic for IVF treatment. Intervention(s): The investigated factors were measured on day 3-5 of the c ycle, in which luteal phase suppression was begun before ovarian hyperstimu lation preparatory to IVF. Main Outcome Measure(s): The amount of gonadotropins required per oocyte an d the number of retrieved oocytes were correlated with the predictive facto rs in stepwise regression analysis. Result(s): The best predictive factors for the number of oocytes retrieved were FSH, inhibin B, and parity, explaining 25% of the ovarian response. In traovarian vascular resistance, parity, FSH, and inhibin B best predicted t he amount of gonadotropins needed, explaining 44% of the variation. Conclusion(s): FSH, inhibin B, and parity were the independent predictive f actors for the number of retrieved oocytes. The same factors and intraovari an vascular resistance predicted the required amount of gonadotropins per o ocyte. The main part of the ovarian response cannot be predicted using the factors investigated. (Fertil Steril(R) 1999;72:932-6. (C)1999 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.).