Comparison of in vitro fertilization outcome in women with and without sonographic evidence of polycystic ovarian morphology

Objective: This study compared the outcome of in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment in women who had polycystic ovaries (PCO) seen on an ultrasound scan, but who had no clinical symptornatology associated with polycystic ovary syndrome, with that of women who had normal ovarian morphology on ultrasound examination. Methods: Outcome of IVF 39 women with PCO evidence by ultrasound compared with 102 women, who had normal ovarian morphology by ultrasound. All 141 women had normal early follicular phase serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) concentration, were less than 40 years of age and used the long protocol pituitary suppression with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist therapy. Results: On average, the women with PCO produced more follicles and oocytes than the women with normal ovaries, but the fertilization cleavage and pregnancy rates were similar. Conclusion: Although the response to follicular stimulation in PCO women is better than that for women with normal ovaries, the outcome of pregnancy in vitro fertilization is similar. (c) 2004 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.