The effect of age on the uterus—three-dimensional study of endometrial and uterine volumes of infertile women.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effect of age on the uterus by using new three-dimensional parameters of uterine and endometrial volumes,and the uterine perfusion volume flow in infertile women attending ART program.Design: Prospective clinical observational study.Materials/Methods: Seventy four infertile women aged 20-45 years old undergoing IVF treatment were recruited for the study. The endometrial and uterine volumes, and uterine arteries resistant index (RI), and total uterine blood flow (right + left uterine artery volume flow), were measured on day 2-3 of cycle by 3D transvaginal probe technology (S-VDW5-8B probe, Volusone 530D MT, Medison Kretz).The patients were divided into age subgroups. Anova test was used to analyze and compare the age subgroups. Uterine and endometrial volumes and uterine artery volume flow were correlated to women age by Pearson correlation.Results: The table below presents, mean endometrial and uterine volumes, mean uterine artery RI, Total uterine volume flow, and mean E2 levels of age subgroups. Uterine volume is increasing steadily till the age of 40 and than starts to decrease. The endometrial volume is remaining constant around 1 ml during the fertility period from the age of 20 to the age of 45. The uterine artery resistant index (RI) is not changed in all the age subgroups. Total uterine volume flow (The right + left uterine artery volume flow) increases significantly from age 20 to the age 35 and than starts to decline.Results. 1Age of patients20–25y26–30y31–35y36–40y41–45yP valueNo of patientsN = 9N = 26N = 13N = 13N = 13Endometrial volume (ml)1.2 ± 0.40.91 ± 0.61.9 ± 1.21.1 ± 0.50.8 ± 0.2NSUterine volume (ml)36.91P = 0.05.35.7 ± 12P = 0.02.57.1 ± 311P = 0.05., 2P = 0.02.59 ± 2345 ± 9Uterine artery RI0.9 ± 0.30.85 ± 0.20.8 ± 0.20.79 ± 0.10.8 ± 0.1NSTotal uterine volume flow (ml/min)63 ± 151P = 0.05.101 ± 622P = 0.02.161 ± 781P = 0.05., 2P = 0.02.147 ± 105143 ± 69E2 levels pg/ml52 ± 1551.6 ± 2059.7 ± 3450.1 ± 1550.1 ± 15NS1 P = 0.05.2 P = 0.02. Open table in a new tab Conclusions: The maximal uterine perfusion is around the age of 35. The peak uterine volume is around age 40 and than starts to decline. The mean E2 level remained constant during the study period. We may assume that these changes can affect the uterine receptivity in natural and ART cycles, but further studies are needed in order to consolidate this conclusion. Objective: To evaluate the effect of age on the uterus by using new three-dimensional parameters of uterine and endometrial volumes,and the uterine perfusion volume flow in infertile women attending ART program. Design: Prospective clinical observational study. Materials/Methods: Seventy four infertile women aged 20-45 years old undergoing IVF treatment were recruited for the study. The endometrial and uterine volumes, and uterine arteries resistant index (RI), and total uterine blood flow (right + left uterine artery volume flow), were measured on day 2-3 of cycle by 3D transvaginal probe technology (S-VDW5-8B probe, Volusone 530D MT, Medison Kretz).The patients were divided into age subgroups. Anova test was used to analyze and compare the age subgroups. Uterine and endometrial volumes and uterine artery volume flow were correlated to women age by Pearson correlation. Results: The table below presents, mean endometrial and uterine volumes, mean uterine artery RI, Total uterine volume flow, and mean E2 levels of age subgroups. Uterine volume is increasing steadily till the age of 40 and than starts to decrease. The endometrial volume is remaining constant around 1 ml during the fertility period from the age of 20 to the age of 45. The uterine artery resistant index (RI) is not changed in all the age subgroups. Total uterine volume flow (The right + left uterine artery volume flow) increases significantly from age 20 to the age 35 and than starts to decline. Results. 1Age of patients20–25y26–30y31–35y36–40y41–45yP valueNo of patientsN = 9N = 26N = 13N = 13N = 13Endometrial volume (ml)1.2 ± 0.40.91 ± 0.61.9 ± 1.21.1 ± 0.50.8 ± 0.2NSUterine volume (ml)36.91P = 0.05.35.7 ± 12P = 0.02.57.1 ± 311P = 0.05., 2P = 0.02.59 ± 2345 ± 9Uterine artery RI0.9 ± 0.30.85 ± 0.20.8 ± 0.20.79 ± 0.10.8 ± 0.1NSTotal uterine volume flow (ml/min)63 ± 151P = 0.05.101 ± 622P = 0.02.161 ± 781P = 0.05., 2P = 0.02.147 ± 105143 ± 69E2 levels pg/ml52 ± 1551.6 ± 2059.7 ± 3450.1 ± 1550.1 ± 15NS1 P = 0.05.2 P = 0.02. Open table in a new tab Conclusions: The maximal uterine perfusion is around the age of 35. The peak uterine volume is around age 40 and than starts to decline. The mean E2 level remained constant during the study period. We may assume that these changes can affect the uterine receptivity in natural and ART cycles, but further studies are needed in order to consolidate this conclusion.