One ovary or two: differences in ovulation induction, estradiol levels, and follicular development in a program for in vitro fertilization.

The choice of clomiphene citrate (CC) and human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) protocols for stimulation of ovarian follicular maturation has traditionally not been made with regard to the anatomic status of the pelvis. To evaluate whether hormone production and/or follicular development vary based on the number of ovaries and/or the method of stimulation, 117 cycles were reviewed. Forty-five women received CC, 29 with two ovaries and 16 with one ovary. Seventy-two women received hMG, 50 with two ovaries and 22 with one ovary. Among women receiving CC, those with two ovaries tended to have higher initial estradiol levels and a greater number of large (greater than or equal to 15 mm) follicles. Among women receiving hMG, those with two ovaries tended to have higher estradiol levels, but the number of large follicles (greater than or equal to 15 mm) was similar. With either stimulation protocol, women with two ovaries developed a higher total number of follicles than women with one ovary. The total number of follicles in women with one ovary was similar for hMG and CC stimulations. The number of oocytes recovered at laparoscopy was greater in women with two ovaries who received hMG in comparison with CC, but did not significantly vary between women with one or two ovaries who received CC nor between women with one or two ovaries who received hMG. The number of oocytes was also similar for the women with one ovary regardless of stimulation protocol.