The Effect of Aging on Ovarian Volume Measurements in Infertile Women

Abstract

In Brief Objective To test the hypothesis that aging is associated with a decrease in ovarian volume, and that the FSH level and volume are correlated inversely. Methods One hundred nine women who had 73 in vitro fertilization cycles and 36 ovulation induction cycles were analyzed. Basal FSH and estradiol (E2) levels were measured on cycle day 3, and ovarian volume was measured and antral follicles were counted on the day of starting gonadotropin. Results The mean age (± standard deviation) was 32.6 ± 4.7 years. The mean FSH was 6.9 ± 2.4 IU/L. The mean ovarian volume was 6.0 ± 4.7 cm3. There were no significant differences between the median volumes of the left and right ovaries in individual subjects (4.6 and 4.8 cm3, respectively; interquartile range 3.0–7.3 and 3.1–7.9; P = .79). There was a significant positive correlation between age and FSH level (R = .372, P < .001), but not between age and ovarian volume (R = .039, P = .69). A significant relation was noted between FSH and the number of follicles (H = 20.8, P < .001), but not between FSH and volume (R = .102, P = .29). There was a significant decrease in the number of follicles and a higher cycle cancellation rate in women with volume smaller than 3 cm3 compared with those with volume greater than 3 cm3. Conclusion Women with small ovarian volumes, low number of antral follicles, and normal basal FSH and E2 levels may have diminished ovarian reserve. Ovarian volume does not correlate with age or FSH levels, although women with small ovarian volumes may be at risk for impending ovarian failure.