Comparison of automated measurements of follicular volume and manual measurements of follicular diameter to time HCG administration: a prospective study in egg donors

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: We have recently shown that follicles of stimulated ovaries can be measured effectively and reliably using 3D ultrasound and SonoAVC (Automated Volume Calculation,GE Medical Systems, Austria) (Fertil Steril 2009, in press). The objective of this study was to determine whether donor IVF cycles monitored only by 3D US and SonoAVC have success rates comparable to conventional monitoring.DESIGN: Prospective observational study.MATERIALS AND METHODS: 36 donors monitored only by 3D ultrasound and SonoAVC with a Voluson E8 expert (GE Medical Systems, Austria) were compared to 23 controls monitored by conventional 2D ultrasound. Ovulation induction was carried out with a combination of recombinant FSH and either recombinant LH or urinary hMG using an antagonist protocol. Final oocyte maturation was triggered when at least 2 follicles reached a mean diameter of 18 mm (controls) or when the majority of follicles reached a volume of 0.6 cc (cases). In the experimental group, quality of image was assessed and considered good when less than 10% of follicles needed manual measurement. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS.RESULTS: Age (23±2.64 vs 22.94±3.19), days of stimulation (10.87±1.89 vs 10.77±1.37), dose of gonadotropins, number of total (20.96±11.63 vs 22.43±11.62 and mature (16.26±8.06 vs17.3±9.4) oocytes, % mature oocytes (76.21±22.29 vs 77.72±11.31), fertilization rate (69.61%±19.98 vs 69.62%±21.46), % viable embryos (92.28%±11.55 vs 82.65%±28.39), implantation (42.65% vs 47.01%) and clinical pregnancy rates (59.52 % vs 68.3%) were comparable in the two groups (P>0.05). Image quality was good in 88.6% of donors in the experimental group.CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that ovulation induction can be monitored exclusively by SonoAVC without compromising IVF results. The ability to determine the day of hCG administration based on follicular volume is a potential advantage of SonoAVC which deserves further investigation. OBJECTIVE: We have recently shown that follicles of stimulated ovaries can be measured effectively and reliably using 3D ultrasound and SonoAVC (Automated Volume Calculation,GE Medical Systems, Austria) (Fertil Steril 2009, in press). The objective of this study was to determine whether donor IVF cycles monitored only by 3D US and SonoAVC have success rates comparable to conventional monitoring. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 36 donors monitored only by 3D ultrasound and SonoAVC with a Voluson E8 expert (GE Medical Systems, Austria) were compared to 23 controls monitored by conventional 2D ultrasound. Ovulation induction was carried out with a combination of recombinant FSH and either recombinant LH or urinary hMG using an antagonist protocol. Final oocyte maturation was triggered when at least 2 follicles reached a mean diameter of 18 mm (controls) or when the majority of follicles reached a volume of 0.6 cc (cases). In the experimental group, quality of image was assessed and considered good when less than 10% of follicles needed manual measurement. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS. RESULTS: Age (23±2.64 vs 22.94±3.19), days of stimulation (10.87±1.89 vs 10.77±1.37), dose of gonadotropins, number of total (20.96±11.63 vs 22.43±11.62 and mature (16.26±8.06 vs17.3±9.4) oocytes, % mature oocytes (76.21±22.29 vs 77.72±11.31), fertilization rate (69.61%±19.98 vs 69.62%±21.46), % viable embryos (92.28%±11.55 vs 82.65%±28.39), implantation (42.65% vs 47.01%) and clinical pregnancy rates (59.52 % vs 68.3%) were comparable in the two groups (P>0.05). Image quality was good in 88.6% of donors in the experimental group. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that ovulation induction can be monitored exclusively by SonoAVC without compromising IVF results. The ability to determine the day of hCG administration based on follicular volume is a potential advantage of SonoAVC which deserves further investigation.