Pilot study investigating the age-related decline in ovarian function of regularly menstruating normal women

Abstract

To use a pilot study to investigate markers of the age-related decline in ovarian function of regularly menstruating normal women. Prospective. Tertiary research center. Healthy volunteers (n = 42) aged 18 to 50 years who had regular ovulatory menstrual cycles and a prior pregnancy. A single 300-IU dose of human recombinant FSH on day 3 of the menstrual cycle. Antral follicle count by transvaginal ultrasound and basal and FSH-stimulated serum markers. Age correlated most strongly with FSH-stimulated inhibin B (r = -0.660), followed by antral follicle count (r = -0.578), basal FSH (r = 0.509), basal Müllerian inhibiting substance (MIS; r = -0.468), and basal inhibin B (r = -0.358). Total antral follicle count correlated most strongly with basal MIS level (r = 0.642). Of the parameters tested, FSH-stimulated serum inhibin B level had the strongest correlation with age. Basal serum MIS level had the strongest correlation with total antral follicle count. We confirm a previous report that in normal women, the antral follicle count as determined by transvaginal ultrasound examination correlates better with age than do basal FSH and basal inhibin B levels.