Day 3 serum inhibin-B Level is not predictive of ovarian assisted reproductive technologies outcome

The ability of the ovary to respond to exogenous gonadotrophin stimulation anddevelopment of several follicles is essential in assisted reproductive technology. Neither age andregularity of menses nor follicular phase FSH and estradiol concentrations are reliable predictors ofovarian response. Day 3 serum inhibin-B level, during induction ovulation, has been proposed as apredictor of ovarian response.

To determine day 3 serum inhibin-B as a predictor of ovarian response to induction ovulationin IVF/ ICSI cycles.

Seventy one infertile patients under 40 years old were enrolled in this study.All women have both ovaries, basal FSH level under 15 mIU/ml, and no evidence of endocrine disorders.Day 3 FSH, estradiol, inbibin-B concentrations and ovarian volume were measured before treatment. Allpatients underwent standard long GnRH agonist protocol. The number of oocytes retrieved, fertilizationrate, clinical pregnancy rate, days of stimulation and number of HMG ampoules were determined. Thepatients were divided into two groups, normal responders and poor responders (number of oocytesretrived <4).

The mean inhibin-B level in normal responders was 166.9 ± 141 pg/ ml versus 115.8 ± 87 pg/mlin poor responders, which the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.24). We could not find a cutoff between normal and poor responders.

The use of day 3 inhibin-B level as a predictive marker of ovarian response in IVF/ICSIcycles is not reliable.