Antral follicle count and serum follicle-stimulating hormone levels to assess functional ovarian age

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was 2-fold. The first was to estimate side-to-side variation in antral follicle counts. The second was to determine whether basal follicle-stimulating hormone levels on days 2, 3, and 4 of the same menstrual cycle are significantly different. METHODS: Forty-one patients between the ages of 20 and 42 years undergoing monitoring for in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer were evaluated ultrasonographically for antral follicle number. The antral follicle counts were determined for each ovary by experienced ultrasonographers at the time of suppression check ultrasonography. In a separate study, 62 normal subjects (ages 20-25 and 40-45 years) underwent serial sequential serum follicle-stimulating hormone determinations on days 2-4 of the menstrual cycle, and these levels were compared. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between right and left antral follicle counts (P = .30). Serial follicle-stimulating hormone values were not significantly different on days 2, 3, or 4 of the menstrual cycle (P = .22). CONCLUSION: There is no significant difference between right-sided and left-sided antral follicle counts within the same individual. In turn, there is no significant difference in serial follicle-stimulating hormone levels on days 2, 3, or 4 of the menstrual cycle. (C) 2004 by ne American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.