Antral follicle count (AFC) can be used in the prediction of ovarian response but cannot predict the oocyte/embryo quality or the in vitro fertilization outcome in an egg donation program

Objective: To verify whether the antral follicle count (AFC) could predict ovarian response, oocyte/embryo quality, and IVF outcome. Design: Prospective study. Setting: Instituto Universitario-InstitutoValenciano de Infertilidad, Valencia, Spain. Patient(s): One thousand seventy-four donors and 975 oocyte recipient cycles. Intervention(s): Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH), endometrial preparation, IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection, ET. Main Outcome Measure(S): COH and oocyte/embryo quality parameters and IVF outcome. Result(s): We observed lower E-2 levels and fewer mature retrieved oocyte numbers among donors who showed an AFC that was < 10. These donors also showed significantly higher cancellation and no-donation rates; poor and/or insufficient response was the principal cause (82%). However, there were no differences among the groups regarding embryo development parameters and IVF outcome. Conclusion(S): AFC is a noninvasive and simple tool that can improve the oocyte donor's selection of an egg donation program. This study suggests that AFC is a good predictor of ovarian response but cannot be used to predict oocyte/embryo quality or IVF outcome. (Fertil Steril (R) 2009;91:148-56. (c) 2009 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.)