WS03‐07Which information about follicular development in unstimulated cycles can be obtained by ultrasound?

Abstract

Unstimulated cycles offer a simpler, quicker and less invasive form of IVF and ICSI than the most conventional stimulated cycles. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of different approaches for follicle monitoring in unstimulated cycles. This monitoring includes studies of follicle growth during the follicular and luteal phase of the cycle, measurements of blood flow in perifollicular vessels and studies of perifollicular perfusion in vascular network using power Doppler. These studies include 3D analysis of follicular growth, development and its vascularization.A retrospective chart review of all patients undergoing IVF and ICSI in unstimulated cycles at our institution was performed. The outcome measurements used were oocyte recovery rate, fertilization rate, implantation and delivery rate.Unstimulated cycles monitored by ultrasound only were compared with those monitored with different protocols of ultrasound monitoring combined with serum estradiol level and urinary LH.IVF and ICSI were performed in 708 unstimulated cycles. A higher pregnancy rate and lower cancellation rate was obtained when hCG was applied in lower values of serum E2 and smaller follicle diameter.The actual pregnancy rate per embryo transfer in IVF cycles was 23.8% and 26.4% in ICSI cycles when embryo transfer was performed on day + 2 or day + 3. When blastocyst stage embryo transfer was performed the implantation rate per embryo transfer was 37.5%.