Diminished ovarian reserve in female childhood cancer survivors with regular menstrual cycles and basal FSH

ISSN： 1460-2350

Source： Human Reproduction, Vol.18, Iss.2, 2003-02, pp. : 417-422

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Approximately 70% of children treated for cancer are cured, however the treatment often impairs reproductive function. The aim of the present study was to assess ovarian reserve in women with an apparently normal ovarian function, who were cured of cancer in childhood. METHODS: Twenty‐one female survivors with regular menstrual cycles and basal FSH <10 iu/l="" were="" included.="" the="" control="" group="" included="" 21="" healthy="" age‐matched="" regularly="" cycling="" women.="" on="" cycle="" day="" 2–5,="" ovarian="" volume="" and="" number="" of="" small="" antral="" follicles="" (2–5="" mm)="" were="" evaluated="" with="" transvaginal="" ultrasonography.="" repeated="" sonography,="" urinary="" lh="" testing,="" and="" endocrine="" assessments="" were="" performed="" during="" the="" actual="" cycle.="" cycle="" length="" was="" calculated.="" results:="" the="" female="" survivors="" had="" significantly="" smaller="" volume="" per="" ovary="" (4.9="" versus="" 6.8="">³; P < 0.01),="" a="" lower="" number="" of="" small="" antral="" follicles="" per="" ovary="" (4.5="" versus="" 8.0;="">P < 0.01),="" and="" lower="" total="" number="" of="" follicles="" per="" ovary="" (8="" versus="" 11,="">P < 0.01).="" hormonal="" profiles="" were="" similar,="" but="" the="" mean="" cycle="" length="" of="" the="" female="" survivors="" was="" significantly="" shorter="" than="" in="" the="" control="" group="" (28.3="" versus="" 31.0="" days;="">P < 0.05).="" conclusions:="" childhood="" cancer="" survivors="" with="" regular="" menstrual="" cycles="" and="" basal="" fsh=""><10 iu/l="" seem="" to="" have="" a="" diminished="" ovarian="" reserve.="" consequently,="" they="" may="" have="" a="" shortened="" reproductive="" span="" and="" an="" early="" menopause.="">