Perifollicular vascularity in poor ovarian responders during IVF

BACKGROUND: Normal ovarian responders who have follicles with good vascularity shown by power Doppler scanning are associated with a better pregnancy rate following IVF treatment. This study evaluated the significance of perifollicular vascularity and follicular fluid hormonal profile in poor responders who developed <= 3 dominant follicles. METHODS: Before oocyte retrieval, they underwent power Doppler examination for perifollicular vascularity. Patients who had all follicles with low-grade vascularity were classified as Group A, whereas those with at least one follicle with high-grade vascularity were Group B. Their follicular fluid concentrations of estradiol (E-2), progesterone, HCG, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and inhibin B were measured. RESULTS: A total of 58 consecutive patients were recruited: 38 in Group A and 20 in Group B. Implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate and follicular fluid hormonal concentrations were comparable for Groups A and B. Multiple pregnancy and live birth rates appeared higher, whereas miscarriage rate were lower in Group B than Group A, but these differences did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSION: There were no significant differences in the implantation, clinical pregnancy and live birth rates among poor responders with and without high-grade perifollicular vascularity.