Intraovarian Doppler velocimetry in ovulatory, dysovulatory and anovulatory cycles

Abstract

We have evaluated 48 spontaneous ovarian cycles in 23 women by transabdominal Doppler ultrasound. A total of 1064 intraovarian flow velocity waveform recordings were obtained. The ultrasound assessment of follicular growth, and changes in the concentrations of urinary luteinizing hormone and serum progesterone were used to classify the cycles. After follicular rupture (and presumed ovulation) in 30 cycles, the intraovarian flow velocity waveform (dominant ovary) showed a turbulent flow during the luteal phase ('luteal conversion'). The maximal resistance index was lower compared to values obtained during the follicular phase, and from the contralateral ovary. The intraovarian flow velocity waveform from 12 abnormal cycles showed similar quantitative and qualitative changes. When ovulation did not occur (three cases of the luteinized unruptured follicle syndrome, three anovulatory cycles), there was no evidence of 'luteal conversion' and the velocimetry values were similar throughout the study. Intraovarian Doppler velocimetry makes it possible to distinguish between ovulatory and anovulatory cycles, and provides a non-invasive diagnosis of the luteinized unruptured follicle syndrome.

Comparison of uterine, endometrial and ovarian blood flow by transvaginal color Doppler ultrasound in ovulatory and anovulatory cycles

“…Merce et al, also investigated intraovarian Doppler velocimetry in ovulatory, dysovulatory, and anovulatory cycles, and found that the luteal phase dominant follicle had lower blood flow resistance, the intraovarian resistance index has not changed in anovulatory cycles, and it is obvious that the absence of the ovulation prevents the change of intraovarian spiral artery network. Blood flow changes in the luteal phase have to be determined by ultrasound to detect the ovulation [14]. In our study, we found the ovulatory cycle blood flow resistance to be lower as compared to the anovulatory cycles.…”

Effect of luteinized unruptured follicle cycles on clinical outcomes of frozen thawed embryo transfer in Chinese women

“…Westfahl [19] observed the absence of P surge and shortened P duration in animal experiments in LUF cycles, the level of androstenedione and testosterone rose and backed to basal level 48 h after HCG administration. A study on ovarian blood flow by ultrasonography, it demonstrated that intraovarian resistance indexes (RI) of LUF cycles was similar to those of anovulatory cycles but was much higher as compared with the ovulatory cycles [3,20]. The high impedance of flow was partially caused by the defective corpus luteum formation and angiogenesis [21].…”

Polycystic ovarian syndrome: assessment with color Doppler angiography and three-dimensional ultrasonography.

“…7,14,18,20,[48][49][50][51][52] Goswamy and Steptoe 14 were the first to report significantly elevated RI and PI values in the uterine arteries of infertile women who had PCOS. The uterine artery RI was found to be inversely related to the intraovarian flow RI in these patients.…”