The prevalence of genuine empty follicle syndrome

Abstract

To describe the prevalence of "genuine" empty follicle syndrome (EFS) and "false" EFS at assisted reproductive technology (ART). Retrospective cohort. Large private fertility center. A total of 12,359 patients who underwent ART between 2004 and 2009. None. The failure to recover an oocyte during oocyte retrieval at ART, with and without adetectable serum β-hCG on the day of retrieval. Two cases of genuine EFS and nine cases of false EFS were identified in the cohort examined. The prevalence of genuine EFS was 0.016%, and the prevalence of false EFS was 0.072%. Only two out of 11 cases of EFS were considered genuine. Genuine EFS is a rare occurrence. Because this syndrome tends to recur with dismal pregnancy rates at ART, continued identification and further investigation of the syndrome are needed.