INTRODUCTION: To identify a cutoff value for volume using Sono-automatic volume calculation (Sono-AVC) that could be used to determine the appropriate time of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) during COH in antagonist cycles of low ovarian response in vitro fertilization (IVF) patients.
METHODS: Sixty-four IVF cases first underwent two-dimensional ultrasound. Subsequently, the follicles were analyzed via Sono-AVC. Using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, a cutoff value was identified for volume, to be used as the hCG criterion on the day of hCG measurement. A total of 544 follicles from 64 patients were screened by Sono-AVC and sorted descendingly. In all of the patients, the follicles in both ovaries had been visualized; only follicles identified manually as being larger than 10 mm and those measured by Sono-AVC to be over 0.4 cc in volume were screened and sorted.
RESULTS: ROC analysis was done using the number of mature oocytes, and an hCG volume of 1.06 cc or greater on the day of measurement was identified as a cutoff value with a sensitivity of 91% for estimating maturation.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Using the Sono-AVC method to determine hCG timing in cases with a low ovarian reserve and/or those who are poor responders might enhance the efficacy and reliability of treatment.