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Ovarian reserve evaluation: state of the art

  • Assisted Reproduction
  • Published:
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Revise role of hormonal basal and dynamic tests, as well as ultrasonographic measures as ovarian reserve markers, in order to provide better counseling to subfertile couples.

Methods

Review of publications on the topic, with an emphasis on recent well designed articles.

Results

Currently available ovarian reserve tests do not provide sufficient evidence to be solely considered ideal, even for premature ovarian senescence patients who do not present subfertility complaints. However, these markers occupy important place in initial approach to treatment of subfertile couples, predicting unsatisfactory results that could be improved by differentiated induction schemes and reducing excessive psychological and financial burdens, and adverse effects.

Conclusions

In order to remedy the limitations due to the scarcity of strong evidence about this topic, future studies should try to clarify predictive value of markers in groups of specific diseases-related subfertility and pay special attention to propaedeutic multivariate models including anti-Müllerian hormone and antral follicle count.

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Acknowledgement

Conflict of interest statement

The authors of the present study declare that they are not involved in any organization or entity of financial interest and that they have no conflict of interest regarding the topic in question or the materials discussed in the text. This includes work relations, consultantships, honoraria and authors’ rights. There was no assistance in the writing of the paper in addition to that of the authors themselves. However, the authors wish to thank Mrs. Elettra Greene for translating the Portuguese original.

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  1. Sector of Human Reproduction, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

    Bruno Ramalho de Carvalho, Ana Carolina Japur de Sá Rosa e Silva, Júlio César Rosa e Silva, Rosana Maria dos Reis, Rui Alberto Ferriani & Marcos Felipe Silva de Sá

  2. Laboratório de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Campus da Universidade de São Paulo, 1 andar. Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Bairro Monte Alegre, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, CEP 14.048-900, Brazil

    Ana Carolina Japur de Sá Rosa e Silva

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  1. Bruno Ramalho de Carvalho
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  2. Ana Carolina Japur de Sá Rosa e Silva
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  3. Júlio César Rosa e Silva
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  4. Rosana Maria dos Reis
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  5. Rui Alberto Ferriani
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  6. Marcos Felipe Silva de Sá
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Correspondence to Ana Carolina Japur de Sá Rosa e Silva.

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The key to better counseling subfertile couples may reside in joint analysis of distinct ovarian reserve markers, providing information needed to formulate adequate stimulation protocols.

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de Carvalho, B.R., Rosa e Silva, A.C.J.S., Rosa e Silva, J.C. et al. Ovarian reserve evaluation: state of the art. J Assist Reprod Genet 25, 311–322 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-008-9241-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-008-9241-2

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