Objective: To investigate the relation between ultrasound-based ovarian volume and antral follicle counts and hormonal parameters of ovarian reserve in a group of women with normal reproductive health.
Study design: Prospective study. One hundred eight women with at least one previous pregnancy reaching term were divided into three age groups (group 1 = 35-39 years, group 2 = 40-44 years, and group 3 = 45-50 years). Basal hormone measurements and transvaginal ultrasonography estimation of ovarian volume and follicle counts were performed in the early follicular phase (day 3) of the menstrual cycle.
Results: There were significant differences in FSH (P < .0001) and E2 (P < .002) levels when group I was compared to groups II and III. There was a significant decrease in mean follicle counts (MFC) between groups I and III (P < .05). The decrease in mean ovarian volume (MOV) with age was not statistically significant. Age strongly correlated with MFC (r = -.38, P < .001) and weakly with MOV (r = -.29, P < .05). However, basal FSH correlated positively with age (r = .50, P < .001) and negatively with MOV (r = -.590, P < .001) and MFC (r = -.658, P < .001). Basal E2 correlated with MOV (r = .50, P < .001) and MFC (r = .50, P < .001). There was also a strong positive correlation between MFC and MOV (r = .777, P < .001).
Conclusion: There was a decrease in MOV and MFC with aging coincident with increasing basal FSH levels after age 35 in women with normal reproductive health.