The potential effect of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation on follicular vascular perfusion: a study applying power Doppler ultrasonography within a treatment programme using donor sperm

Abstract

This was a prospective observational study to evaluate the effect of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation on follicular vascularity. A subjective grading system was applied to assess vascularity using transvaginal power Doppler ultrasonography on the day of insemination (32-36 hours post-HCG administration) in donor treatment cycles undergoing either controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH group) with gonadotrophin and intrauterine insemination or intracervical insemination with/without clomiphene stimulation (non-COH group). The incidence of follicles (81% vs. 53%; P < 0·05) as well as cycles (63% vs. 49%; P < 0·05) with uniformly high grade vascularity was significantly higher in treatments that had controlled ovarian hyperstimulation compared with unstimulated or clomiphene induced donor cycles. Pregnancy rates were higher and early pregnancy loss rates lower, in cycles with uniformly high grade follicular vascularity in both treatment groups compared with other vascularity grades. Using multiple logistic regression analysis, the only independent variable that was significantly related to pregnancy rates in this treatment programme was follicular vascularity. Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation appears to have an effect on follicular vascularity and this may contribute to improved outcome in donor insemination treatment programmes.