Utility of color Doppler indices of dominant follicular blood flow for prediction of clinical factors in in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer cycles.

Objective To investigate the relationship between color Doppler indices of dominant follicular blood flow and clinical factors in in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer cycles. Subjects and methods This was a prospective study involving 26 patients completing a total of 33 in vitro fertilization cycles. Dominant follicular blood flow indices, peak systolic velocities, the resistance index and the pulsatility index were evaluated using transvaginal color Doppler. The indices were compared to the clinical outcomes of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer. Results There was a significant correlation between dominant follicular peak systolic velocities and the number of oocytes retrieved, as well as the number of mature oocytes obtained. There was no significant correlation between dominant follicular resistance index or pulsatility index and the number of follicles > 10 mm in diameter, the number of oocytes retrieved or the number of mature oocytes. There were no significant differences between dominant follicular peak systolic velocities, resistance index or pulsatility index, and fertilization rate or the ratio of good quality embryos. However, significant differences were found between the number of oocytes retrieved, as well as the number of mature oocytes for those patients in which the peak systolic velocity was below 25 cm/s. Conclusions Doppler assessment of dominant follicle blood flow alone is useful for predicting the number of retrievable oocytes. However, morphological quality of the embryo produced or the pregnancy rate cannot be predicted by this method. Copyright © 2002 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology