Skip to main content

Ovarian Reserve and Ovarian Cysts

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Book cover Ultrasound Imaging in Reproductive Medicine

Abstract

Ultrasound has become the most widely used and important tool in the diagnosis and treatment of infertility and IVF. Measuring the antral follicle count (AFC) is one of the best predictors for estimating ovarian reserve. This initial ultrasound exam will immediately affect the management of the patient and help determine IVF stimulation protocols. The initial exam also picks up benign and malignant ovarian masses and the most common cysts are covered in the chapter. Doppler modalities of ultrasound allow identification of the direction and magnitude of blood flow and calculation of velocity and can help distinguish benign from malignant masses. Three-dimensional (3D) transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) techniques allow the identification and quantification of hypoechoic regions within a three-dimensional ultrasound (3D) data set and provide a precise estimation of their absolute dimensions, mean diameters, and volumes. Accurate evaluation of size and volume of complex structured follicles is facilitated. This chapter is aimed to review how ultrasound is used to maximize ART outcome by evaluation of the ovary and assessing ovarian reserve.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Faddy MJ, Gosden RG, Gougeon A, Richardson SJ, Nelson JF. Accelerated disappearance of ovarian follicles in mid-life: implications for forecasting menopause. Hum Reprod. 1992;7:1342–6.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Hendriks DI, Mol BW, Bancsi LF, Te Velde ER, Broekmans FI. Antral follicle count in the prediction of poor ovarian reserve and IVF outcome after in vitro fertilization :a meta-analysis and comparison with basal FSH level. Fertil Steril. 2005;83:291–310.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Broekmans FJ, Kwee J, Hendriks DJ, Mol BW, Lambalk CB. A systematic review of tests predicting ovarian reserve and IVF outcome. Hum Reprod Update. 2006;12:685–718.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Muttukrishna S, McGarrigle H, Wakim R, Khadum I, Ranieri DM, Sethal P. Antral follicle count, antimullerian hormone and inhibin B: predictors of ovarian response in assisted reproductive technology? BJOG. 2005;112:1384–90.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Johnson NP, Bagrie EM, Coomarasamy A, Bhattacharya S, Shelling AN, Jessop S, Farquhar C, Khan KS. Ovarian reserve tests for predicting fertility outcomes for assisted reproductive technology: The International Systematic Collaboration of Ovarian Reserve Evaluation protocol for a systematic review of ovarian reserve test accuracy. BJOG. 2006;113:1472–80.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Jayaprakasan K, Deb S, Batcha M, Hopkisson J, Johnson I, Campbell B, et al. The cohort of antral follicles measuring 2–6 mm reflects the quantitative status of ovarian reserve as assessed by serum levels of anti-Mullerian hormone and response to controlled ovarian stimulation. Fertil Steril. 2010;94:1775–81.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Fratterelli JL, Lauria-Costab DF, Miller BT, Bergh PA, Scott RT. Basal antral follicle number and mean ovarian diameter predict cycle cancellation and ovarian responsiveness in assisted reproductive technology cycles. Fertil Steril. 2000;7:512–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Danninger B, Brunner M, Obruca A, Feichtinger W. Prediction of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome by ultrasound volumetric assessment [corrected] of baseline ovarian volume prior to stimulation. Hum Reprod. 1996;11:1597–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Jayaprakasan K, Hilwah N, Kendall NR, Hopkisson JF, Campbell BK, Johnson IR, et al. Does 3D ultrasound offer any advantage in the pretreatment assessment of ovarian reserve and prediction of outcome after assisted reproduction treatment? Hum Reprod. 2007;22:1932–41.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. van der Stege JG, van der Linden PJ. Useful predictors of ovarian stimulation response in women undergoing in vitro fertilization. Gynecol Obstet Invest. 2001;52:43–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Karande VC. Managing and predicting low response to standard in vitro fertilization therapy: a review of the options. Treat Endocrinol. 2003;2:257–72.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Muasher SJ, Oehninger S, Simonetti S, Matta J, Ellis LM, Liu HC, Jones GS, Rosenwaks Z. The value of basal and/or stimulated serum gonadotropin levels in prediction of stimulation response and in vitro fertilization outcome. Fertil Steril. 1988;50(2):298–307.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Broekmans FJ, Knauff EA, te Velde ER, Macklon NS, Fausser BC. Female reproductive ageing: current knowledge and future trends. Trends Endocrinol Metab. 2007;18:58–65.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Broer SL, Mol BWJ, Hendriks D, Broekmans FJM. The role of antimullerian hormone in prediction of outcome after IVF: comparison with the antral follicle count. Fertil Steril. 2009;91:705–14.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Hazout A, Bouchard P, Seifer DB, Aussage P, Junca AM, Cohen-Bacrie P. Serum anti-müllerian hormone/müllerian-inhibiting substance appears to be a more discriminatory marker of assisted reproductive technology outcome than follicle-stimulating hormone, inhibin B, or estradiol. Fertil Steril. 2004;82:1323–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Riggs RM, Duran EH, Baker MW, Kimble TD, Hobeika E, Yin L, Matos-Bodden L, Leader B, Stadtmauer L. Assessment of ovarian reserve with antimullerian hormone: a comparison of the predictive value of antimullerian hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, inhibin B and age. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2008;199:202e1–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Ocal P, Sahmay S, Cetin M, Irez T, Guralp O, Cepni I. Serum anti-Müllerian hormone and antral follicle count as predictive markers of OHSS in ART cycles. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2011;28:1197–203.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Hansen KR, et al. Correlation of ovarian reserve tests with histologically determined primordial follicle number. Fertil Steril. 2011;95:855–64.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Jayaprakasan K, Al-Hasie H, Jayaprakasan R, Campbell B, Hopkisson J, Johnson I, Raine-Fenning N. The three-dimensional ultrasonographic ovarian vascularity of women developing poor ovarian response during assisted reproduction treatment and its predictive value. Fertil Steril. 2009;92(6):1862–9.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Lass A, Brinsden P. The role of ovarian volume in reproductive medicine. Hum Reprod Update. 1999;5:256–66.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. McDougall MJ, Tan SL, Jacobs HS. IVF and the ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Hum Reprod. 1992;5:597–600.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Ata B, Tulandi T. Ultrasound automated volume calculation in reproduction and in pregnancy. Fertil Steril. 2011;95:2163–70. Review.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Raine-Fenning N, Jayaprakasan K, Clewes J, Joergner I, Bonaki SD, Chamberlain S, et al. SonoAVC: a novel method of automatic volume calculation. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2008;31:691–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Rodriguez-Fuentes A, Hernandez J, Garcia-Guzman R, Chinea E, Iaconianni L, Palumbo A. Prospective evaluation of automated follicle monitoring in 58 in vitro fertilization cycles: follicular volume as a new indicator of oocyte maturity. Fertil Steril. 2010;93:616–20.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Valentine L, Ameye L, Savelli L, et al. Adnexal masses difficult to classify as benign or malignant using subjective assessment of grey-scale and Doppler ultrasound findings: logistic regression models do not delp. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2011;38(4):456–65.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Firouzabadi RD, Sekhavat L, Javedani M. The effect of ovarian cyst aspiration on IVF treatment with GnRH. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2010;281(3):545–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Okaro E, Condous G, Khalid A, Timmerman D, Ameye L, Van Huffel S, Bourne T. The use of ultrasound-based ‘soft markers’ for the prediction of pelvic pathology in women with chronic pelvic pain, can we reduce the need for laparoscopy? BJOG. 2006;113:251–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Raine-Fenning N, Jayaprakasan K, Deb S. Three –dimensional ultrasonographic characteristics of endometriomata. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2008;31:718–24.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Asch E, Levine D. Variations in appearance of endometriomas. J Ultrasound Med. 2007;26:993–1002.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Kumfer MC, Schwimer SR, Lebovic J. Transvaginal sonographic appearance of endometriomas: spectrum of findings. J Ultrasound Med. 1992;11:129–33.

    Google Scholar 

  31. Somigliana E, Vercellini P, Viganó P, Ragni G, Crosignani PG. Should endometriomas be treated before IVF-ICSI cycles? Hum Reprod Update. 2006;12:57–64.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Bernardi LA, Pavone ME. Endometriosis and update on management. Womens Health (Lond Engl). 2013;9(3):233–50.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Balen A, Michelmore K. What is polycystic ovary syndrome? Are national views important? Hum Reprod. 2002;17:2219–27.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Polson DW, Adams J, Wadsworth J, Franks S. Polycystic ovaries–a common finding in normal women. Lancet. 1988;1:870–2.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Alborzi S, Khodaee R, Parsanejad ME. Ovarian size and response to laparoscopic ovarian electro-cauterization in polycystic ovarian disease. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2001;74:269–74.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Amer SA, Li TC, Bygrave C, Sprigg A, Saravelos H, Cooke ID. An evaluation of the inter-observer and intra-observer variability of the ultrasound diagnosis of polycystic ovaries. Hum Reprod. 2002;17:1616–22.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Jacobs HS. Polycystic ovaries and polycystic ovary syndrome. Gynecol Endocrinol. 1987;1:113–31. Review.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Kousta E, White DM, Cela E, McCarthy MI, Franks S. The prevalence of polycystic ovaries in women with infertility. Hum Reprod. 1999;14:2720–3.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Dewailly D, Gronier H, Poncelet E, Robin G, Leroy M, et al. Diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): revisiting the threshold values of follicle count on ultrasound and of the serum AMH level for the definition of polycystic ovaries. Hum Reprod. 2011;26:3123–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Rotterdam ESHRE/ASRM-Sponsored PCOS Consensus Workshop Group. Revised 2003 consensus on diagnostic criteria and long-term health risks related to polycystic ovary syndrome. Fertil Steril. 2004;81:19–25.

    Google Scholar 

  41. Allemand MC, Tummon IS, Phy JL, Foong SC, Dumesic DA, Session DR. Diagnosis of polycystic ovaries by three-dimensional transvaginal ultrasound. Fertil Steril. 2006;85:214–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. He LR, Zhou LX, Pan RK, Zhang X. [Clinical significance of counting follicles in diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome by the three-dimensional ultrasound imaging with sonography based automated volume calculation method]. Zhonghua Fu Chan Ke Za Zhi. 2011;46:350–4.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Kyei-Mensah AA, Lin Tan S, Zaidi J, Jacobs HS. Relationship of ovarian stromal volume to serum androgen concentrations in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome. Hum Reprod. 1998;13:1437–41.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Järvelä IY, Mason HD, Sladkevicius P, Kelly S, Ojha K, Campbell S, et al. Characterization of normal and polycystic ovaries using three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasonography. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2002;19:582–90.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Pan HA, Wu MH, Cheng YC, Li CH, Chang FM. Quantification of Doppler signal in polycystic ovary syndrome using three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasonography: a possible new marker for diagnosis. Hum Reprod. 2002;17:201–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Scheffer GJ, Broekmans FJ, Bancsi LF, Habbema JD, Looman CW, Te Velde ER. Quantitative transvaginal two- and three-dimensional sonography of the ovaries: reproducibility of antral follicle counts. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2002;20:270–5.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Raine-Fenning N, Jayaprakasan K, Chamberlain S, Devlin L, Priddle H, Johnson I, et al. Automated measurements of follicle diameter: a chance to standardize? Fertil Steril. 2009;91:1469–72.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Raine-Fenning N, Jayaprakasan K, Deb S, Clewes J, Joergner I, Dehghani Bonaki S, Johnson I. Automated follicle tracking improves measurement reliability in patients undergoing ovarian stimulation. Reprod Biomed Online. 2009;18(5):658–63.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Deutch TD, Joergner I, Matson DO, Oehninger S, Bocca S, Hoenigmann D, Abuhamad A. Automated assessment of ovarian follicles using a novel three-dimensional ultrasound software. Fertil Steril. 2009;92(5):1562–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Raine-Fenning N, Deb S, Jayaprakasan K, Clewes J, Hopkisson J, Campbell B. Timing of oocyte maturation and egg collection during controlled ovarian stimulation: a randomized controlled trial evaluating manual and automated measurements of follicle diameter. Fertil Steril. 2010;94:184–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Ben-Haroush A, Farhi J, Zahalka Y, Sapir O, Meizner I, Fisch B. Small antral follicle count (2–5 mm) and ovarian volume for prediction of pregnancy in in vitro fertilization cycles. Gynecol Endocrinol. 2011;27(10):748–52.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Deb S, Jayaprakasan K, Campbell BK, Clewes JS, Johnson IR, Raine-Fenning NJ. Intraobserver and interobserver reliability of automated antral follicle counts made using three-dimensional ultrasound and SonoAVC. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2009;33:477–83.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  53. Deb S, Campbell BK, Clewes JS, Raine-Fenning NJ. Quantitative analysis of antral follicle number and size: a comparison of two-dimensional and automated three-dimensional ultrasound techniques. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2010;35:354–60.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. Jayaprakasan K, Campbell BK, Clewes JS, Johnson IR, Raine-Fenning NJ. Three-dimensional ultrasound improves the interobserver reliability of antral follicle counts and facilitates increased clinical work flow. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2008;31:439–44.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Forman RG, Robinson J, Yudkin P, Egan D, Reynolds K, Barlow DH. What is the true follicular diameter: an assessment of the reproducibility of transvaginal ultrasound monitoring in stimulated cycles. Fertil Steril. 1991;56:89–92.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Laurel A. Stadtmauer MD, PhD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2014 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Stadtmauer, L.A., Kovac, A., Tur-Kaspa, I. (2014). Ovarian Reserve and Ovarian Cysts. In: Stadtmauer, L., Tur-Kaspa, I. (eds) Ultrasound Imaging in Reproductive Medicine. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-9182-8_6

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-9182-8_6

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-9181-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-9182-8

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics