The effect of functional status of the ovaries on the embryological results of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation

Introduction: Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation is an integral part of infertility treatment. Despite many years of use, some aspects of controlled ovarian stimulation have not yet been clarified, especially the role of the functional status of the ovaries before hormonal stimulation.

Aim of the research: To assess the effect of the functional status of the ovaries on the embryological results of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation.

Material and methods: The retrospective study included female patients treated for infertility. The patients were divided into two groups depending on the ultrasonographic appearance of the ovaries before controlled ovarian hyperstimulation. Patients with small antral follicles < 6 mm in diameter were selected for group I. Patients with five or more antral follicles

≥ 8 mm in diameter in each ovary were included in group II. Patients from both groups underwent the same treatment process. We performed a detailed analysis of the number, type and quality of the obtained embryos.

Results: The number of two- and three-blastomere embryos were comparable in the two groups. There were significantly more four-blastomere embryos in group I than II (p > 0.05). The numbers of A, C, D quality embryos were comparable between the groups (p > 0.05). There were more B quality embryos in group I than II (p > 0.05). The embryo growth rate was significantly faster in group I than II.

Conclusions: The results of the present study indicate that the functional status of the ovaries before controlled ovarian hyperstimulation plays a pivotal role in treatment outcome.