The Effect of Age on Ovarian Reserve Markers in Tehranian Women with Normal Fertility

The main goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of age and body mass index (BMI) on ovarian reserve markers in fertile Iranian women. Materials methods: One hundred fifteen fertile women were included in this cross-sectional study conducted from May 2005 until December 2006 in the Arash Hospital, Tehran. A transvaginal ultrasound examination and blood test were carried out between the third and fifth day of their menstrual cycle (follicular phase). The ovarian volume was measured and total antral follicles (AFC) were counted. Hormonal markers such as FSH, LH and estradiol were measured. Results: Age had positive correlation with FSH (r = 0.819, P 0.01) and FSH/LH (r = 0.452, P 0.01). Meanwhile age had negative correlation with total ovarian volume (r=-0.835) and AFC (r=-0.924) P value 0.01. Age had no effect on LH and estradiol levels (P 0.05). Comparison of ovarian reserve markers between the four age subgroups (25-30, 31-35, 36-40 and 41-45 years) showed the FSH level, total ovarian volume and AFC had significant differences between these groups, while LH and estradiol did not different between subgroups. Meanwhile BMI had moderate positive correlation with FSH (r = 0.35, P 0.01) and LH (r=0.30, P 0.01) and moderate negative correlation with estradiol (r=-0.20, P 0.05), total ovarian volume (r=-0.31) and AFC (r=-0.41) by P 0.01. In multivariate analysis after adjustment of age, BMI as an independent factor had no effect on ovarian reserve markers. Conclusions: AFC had the best correlation with age, followed by ovarian volume, FSH level and FSH/LH, making it a better predictor of ovarian response than BMI.