The ovarian reserve in infertile patients after bilateral endometrioid ovarian cysts removal with and without recurrence

Abstract Study question Do women undergoing surgery for endometrioma due to pain, a cyst and/or subfertility understand the impact of the disease and its treatment on ovarian reserve and fertility. Summary answer The majority of women treated in a fertility setting are well informed compared to those in a general medical setting. What is known already: Infertility affects 30% to 50% of women with endometriosis. Ovarian endometriomas are reported in 17–44% of infertile women with endometriosis and are typically associated with more severe disease. Endometriomas are associated with diminished ovarian reserve, due to the endometrioma per se or due to surgical interventions required to treat and excise the disease. ESHRE guidelines recommend that women should be informed pre-operatively of the potential reduction in ovarian reserve associated with surgery and that ovarian reserve tests should be performed when future fertility is a concern. Study design, size, duration In conjunction with our histopathology colleagues we identified a cohort of women with a histological diagnosis of one or more ovarian endometriomas who underwent surgery in our unit between 2010 and 2019. We developed a scoping questionnaire, targeted at women currently over the age of 40, who had previously undergone surgery for endometrioma under the age of 35. Patients were contacted by telephone and consent obtained to send an email with a survey link. Participants/materials, setting, methods We identified 47 women who had a histological diagnosis of endometrioma. Of these, 30 were contactable by telephone, of whom 29 consented to being sent information regarding the study and a link to the questionnaire. 21 women completed the survey. Respondents were divided into 2 groups for analysis. Group 1 cited ‘fertility’ or ‘both pain and fertility’ as an indication for their surgery while group 2 had ‘pain’ or ‘ovarian cysts’ but no fertility concerns. Main results and the role of chance: The majority (62%) of patients were diagnosed with endometriosis while aged 25–34. The indication for surgery was evenly divided between pain (32%), fertility (37%) and ovarian cysts (37%). 60% of women reported having endometriomas diagnosed preoperatively. Striking differences were noted between groups 1 and 2. Of the women who cited ‘fertility’ or ‘both pain and fertility’ (n = 9) as an indication for their surgery, 78% (n = 7) reported being aware of any possible negative impact of endometriosis on their fertility, with 78% also being aware of the possible negative impact of surgery for endometriosis on their fertility. This compared to only 36% (n = 4) and 27% (n = 3) respectively in Group 2. In group 1, 56% (n = 5) remembered having an AMH level checked pre operatively while 78% (n = 7) also had an ultrasound pre-operatively. In contrast, only 33% (n = 3) of Group 2 remember having an AMH level checked pre operatively though 64% (n = 7) had an ultrasound pre-operatively. Of those whose surgery was performed by a fertility specialist, 75% (n = 6) reported being aware of the impact of endometriosis and also the impact of surgery on ovarian reserve, compared to 44% (n = 4) of those who surgery was performed by a non-fertility specialist. Limitations, reasons for caution This is a retrospective study and the numbers are small. We were only able to identify women with an endometrioma via pathology records, so those with no excision of disease (eg those who had ablation of an endometrioma) were excluded from this analysis. Wider implications of the findings: This suggests the majority of patients treated in a fertility setting are counselled regarding the benefit of surgery but also the risk to ovarian reserve. This is not the case in other settings. It is time to disseminate guidelines such as those produced by ESHRE to our general gynaecology colleagues. Trial registration number Not applicable

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P–711 The association between thyroid autoimmunity and serum level of anti-Müllerian hormone in infertile patients with normal ovarian reserve undergoing in vitro fertilisation

Human Reproduction ◽

10.1093/humrep/deab130.710 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

A Albu ◽

D Albu

Keyword(s):

Serum Level ◽

Ovarian Reserve ◽

Thyroid Autoimmunity ◽

In Vitro Fertilisation ◽

Free T4 ◽

Infertile Women ◽

Group 2 ◽

Infertile Patients ◽

Group 1

Abstract Study question Is there a relationship between thyroid autoimmunity and serum level of anti-müllerian hormon (AMH) in infertile women with normal ovarian reserve undergoing in vitro fertilisation (IVF)? Summary answer In infertile women with normal ovarian reserve serum AMH level above 5ng/ml is associated with higher level of thyroid hormones and less frequent thyroid autoimmunity What is known already Previous studies suggest that thyroid autoimmunity is associated with a decreased ovarian reserve. Moreover, it was reported that thyroid hormone administration could improve serum AMH level. However, the relationship between serum AMH level and thyroid autoimmunity and function in infertile women with normal ovarian reserve undergoing IVF is largely unknown. Since in IVF the serum AMH level is an important marker which dictate the management of the couple, the identification of all the factors possibly related to this parameter is very important. Study design, size, duration: We performed a retrospective study in the Department of Reproductive Medicine of a private hospital. The medical records of all consecutive patients who underwent IVF between January 2015 and December 2018 with all causes of infertility were reviewed. Study group included 581patients with a mean age of 34.4±4.1 years, mean AMH of 3.78±2.4 ng/mL, mean serum TSH level of 1.89±1 microUI/ml and mean serum free T4 level of 1.05±0.98 ng/dl. Participants/materials, setting, methods Patients with known thyroid disorders or under thyroid hormone treatment at the moment of evaluation were excluded. Only patients with serum level of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free tyroxine (free T4), anti thyroid peroxidase antibodies (ATPO,) anti thyroglobulin antibodies (ATG), AMH and age available for analysis were included in the study. This parameters are evaluated on a systematic basis in all the patients undergoing IVF in our Department, except very few cases. Main results and the role of chance Patients were divided according to their serum AMH level in two groups: group 1 with AMH level 5 ng/ml and below (n = 450 patients) and group 2 with AMH above 5 ng/ml (n = 131 patients). When the two groups were compared we found that patients in group 2 were younger in comparison with patients in group 1 (32.9±3.8 versus 35±4 years, p < 0.0001). After adjustment for age, patients in group 2 had significantly higher serum free T4 level (1.07±0.12 versus 1.04±0.14 ng/dl, p = 0.015), lower ATG (17.59±41.8 UI/ml versus 39.4±136.16 UI/ml, p < 0.018) and presented less frequently with high ATPO antibodies (35% versus 41.8%, p = 0.047). In a logistic regression model with AMH as a dependent variable, free T4, but not TSH was independently and positively associated with higher AMH levels (above 5 ng/ml) (p = 0.025) after adjustment for anti thyroid antibodies levels. Morever, in this logistic model the presence of high ATPO, but not ATG, were negatively related to higher AMH level (p = 0.037). Limitations, reasons for caution Patients included in this study are infertile patients with indication for IVF treatment. Therefore, the results of this study should be used with caution in other populations Wider implications of the findings: Our study suggest that serum AMH level might be related to thyroid autoimmunity, but also to thyroid hormones levels. If confirmed by further studies, this findings could offer a way to improve serum AMH level and to better understand the markers of ovarian reserve in an IVF setting. Trial registration number NA

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