Women with declining ovarian reserve may demonstrate a decrease in day 3 serum inhibin B before a rise in day 3 follicle-stimulating hormone

Fertil Steril. 1999 Jul;72(1):63-5. doi: 10.1016/s0015-0282(99)00193-4.

Abstract

Objective: To test the hypothesis that women with declining ovarian reserve may demonstrate a decrease in day 3 serum inhibin B levels before a rise in day 3 serum FSH levels.

Design: Case-control study.

Setting: Tertiary care fertility center.

Patient(s): One hundred nine women with nonovarian infertility (tubal factor or male factor) and 47 women with declining ovarian reserve who underwent assisted reproductive techniques.

Intervention(s): None.

Main outcome measure(s): Serum inhibin B and FSH levels, number of ampules of gonadotropins administered, E2 levels on the day of hCG administration, number of oocytes retrieved, clinical pregnancy rate, and cycle cancellation rate.

Result(s): Women who had declining ovarian reserve as demonstrated by an increased gonadotropin requirement, a decreased E2 response, fewer retrieved oocytes, a lower clinical pregnancy rate, and a higher cycle cancellation rate had lower day 3 serum inhibin B levels despite having nonelevated day 3 FSH levels similar to those of women with nonovarian infertility.

Conclusion(s): Women with declining ovarian responsiveness and clinical outcomes consistent with declining ovarian reserve had decreased day 3 serum inhibin B levels despite having nonelevated day 3 serum FSH concentrations. Declining ovarian reserve may be demonstrated by a decrease in day 3 inhibin B levels before a rise in day 3 FSH levels.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Estradiol / blood
  • Female
  • Follicle Stimulating Hormone / blood*
  • Gonadotropins / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Infertility / blood*
  • Infertility / drug therapy
  • Inhibins / blood*
  • Menstrual Cycle / physiology
  • Ovary / physiology*

Substances

  • Gonadotropins
  • Estradiol
  • Inhibins
  • Follicle Stimulating Hormone