PCO is a common, age-dependent finding among ovulatory women. These women lack the metabolic abnormalities seen in PCO syndrome. Isolated PCO in an ovulatory woman is not an indication for metabolic evaluation.
Study Objective-To determine whether infertile women have lower antral follicle counts (AFC) than age-matched normal women
Design-Case-control
Setting-Academic centerPatients-881 infertile women and 771 women from the community
Interventions-Antral follicle count and basal hormone measurementsMain outcome measure(s)-Median AFCs and FSH levels were compared between the 2 groups within 5 year age strata, using the median test. A subanalysis was performed by identifying women in the control group with a history of attempting conception without success (Subfertile Group) and with a spontaneous conception in less than 12 months resulting in a live birth (Fertile Group). Age-specific AFC percentiles were calculated and compared within strata determined by age at the time of attempted conception Results-AFCs were significantly lower in infertile women than in controls across age groups up to 40 years of age (P<0.001). Average FSH levels were significantly higher in the younger age infertile group vs. the community (P<0.005). AFC percentiles differ significantly between fertile and subfertile women within the community up until 40 years of age (P<0.02) Conclusion-Decreased AFC in infertile women suggests that factors affecting the size of the remaining follicle pool in younger women also affect oocyte quality and the likelihood of conception
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