Predictive Factors for Empty Follicle Syndrome in Infertile Patients Undergoing Assisted Reproductive Technology Treatment: A Retrospective Cohort Study and Brief Literature Review

Background: Empty follicle syndrome (EFS) is a rare complication in which no oocytes are retrieved in oocyte pick-up (OPU) despite adequate controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH). Various studies and systematic reviews have reported that EFS is mainly caused by diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) be...

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Main Authors: Junichiro Mitsui, Kuniaki Ota, Hidetoshi Yamashita, Toshio Sujino, Kenichiro Hiraoka, Shoko Katsumata, Yuko Takayanagi, Yurie Nako, Makiko Tajima, Kumi Ohuchi, Masaru Hayashi, Tomonori Ishikawa, Kiyotaka Kawai
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Language:English
Published: IMR Press 2023-04-01
Series:Clinical and Experimental Obstetrics & Gynecology
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Online Access:https://www.imrpress.com/journal/CEOG/50/4/10.31083/j.ceog5004080
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author Junichiro Mitsui
Kuniaki Ota
Hidetoshi Yamashita
Toshio Sujino
Kenichiro Hiraoka
Shoko Katsumata
Yuko Takayanagi
Yurie Nako
Makiko Tajima
Kumi Ohuchi
Masaru Hayashi
Tomonori Ishikawa
Kiyotaka Kawai
author_facet Junichiro Mitsui
Kuniaki Ota
Hidetoshi Yamashita
Toshio Sujino
Kenichiro Hiraoka
Shoko Katsumata
Yuko Takayanagi
Yurie Nako
Makiko Tajima
Kumi Ohuchi
Masaru Hayashi
Tomonori Ishikawa
Kiyotaka Kawai
author_sort Junichiro Mitsui
collection DOAJ
description Background: Empty follicle syndrome (EFS) is a rare complication in which no oocytes are retrieved in oocyte pick-up (OPU) despite adequate controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH). Various studies and systematic reviews have reported that EFS is mainly caused by diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) because EFS tends to occur in patients with a poor response to COH. However, these factors do not explain all cases. Current knowledge of these pathological factors is limited, and treatment is unknown. This study aimed to find out the clinical predictors of EFS before OPU. Methods: In this study, 2342 cycles of 1148 cases that underwent OPU between January 2015 and November 2020 in two reproductive clinics were retrospectively enrolled. Ninety-one and 2251 cycles were classified as EFS (no cultivatable oocytes retrieved) and non-EFS (cultivatable oocytes retrieved), respectively. Results: The EFS and non-EFS incidence was 3.9% and 96.1%, respectively. The mean patient age in the EFS group was higher than that in the non-EFS group (40.3 ± 3.4 years vs. 37.9 ± 4.5 years, p < 0.001). Body mass indexes in the EFS and non-EFS groups were similar (21.7 ± 3.3 kg/m2 vs. 22.0 ± 3.5 kg/m2, p = 0.52). The anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels, antral follicle count (AFC), and the number of follicles were lower in the EFS group than in the non-EFS group (1.0 ± 1.2 ng/mL vs. 2.7 ± 2.5 ng/mL, p < 0.001; 2.9 ± 2.2 vs. 8.5 ± 6.3, p < 0.001; 1.9 ± 1.4 vs. 6.0 ± 4.1, p < 0.001, respectively). However, unlike univariate analysis, logistic regression analysis showed no significant differences in age and AMH levels between the groups. The AFC and number of follicles were still significantly lower in the EFS than in the non-EFS group in multivariate analysis (odds ratio (OR), 1.301; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.138–1.503; p < 0.05 and OR, 1.832; 95% CI, 1.488–2.3; p < 0.05, respectively). The EFS incidence rates for each follicle number just before OPU were 21.2%, 7.8%, 2.7%, and 1.2% with one, two, three, and four follicles, respectively. Not a single case of EFS was found among 410 cases with 10 or more follicles. Conclusions: The AFC and the number of follicles may be predictive of EFS.
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spelling doaj-art-d24a9de579a54fbcb3de986c91673e372025-08-20T01:55:41ZengIMR PressClinical and Experimental Obstetrics & Gynecology0390-66632023-04-015048010.31083/j.ceog5004080S0390-6663(23)02054-7Predictive Factors for Empty Follicle Syndrome in Infertile Patients Undergoing Assisted Reproductive Technology Treatment: A Retrospective Cohort Study and Brief Literature ReviewJunichiro Mitsui0Kuniaki Ota1Hidetoshi Yamashita2Toshio Sujino3Kenichiro Hiraoka4Shoko Katsumata5Yuko Takayanagi6Yurie Nako7Makiko Tajima8Kumi Ohuchi9Masaru Hayashi10Tomonori Ishikawa11Kiyotaka Kawai12Comprehensive Reproductive Medicine, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 113-8519 Tokyo, JapanFukushima Medical Center for Children and Women, Fukushima Medical University, 960-1295 Fukushima, JapanH.U. Group Research Institute G.K., Research Laboratory, 197-0833 Tokyo, JapanReproductive Medicine, Kameda IVF Clinic Makuhari, 261-8501 Chiba, JapanReproductive Medicine, Kameda IVF Clinic Makuhari, 261-8501 Chiba, JapanComprehensive Reproductive Medicine, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 113-8519 Tokyo, JapanReproductive Medicine, Kameda IVF Clinic Makuhari, 261-8501 Chiba, JapanReproductive Medicine, Kameda IVF Clinic Makuhari, 261-8501 Chiba, JapanReproductive Medicine, Kameda IVF Clinic Makuhari, 261-8501 Chiba, JapanReproductive Medicine, Kameda Medical Center, 296-8602 Chiba, JapanReproductive Medicine, Kameda Medical Center, 296-8602 Chiba, JapanDepartment of Pediatrics, Perinatal and Maternal Medicine (Ibaraki), Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 113-8519 Tokyo, JapanComprehensive Reproductive Medicine, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 113-8519 Tokyo, JapanBackground: Empty follicle syndrome (EFS) is a rare complication in which no oocytes are retrieved in oocyte pick-up (OPU) despite adequate controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH). Various studies and systematic reviews have reported that EFS is mainly caused by diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) because EFS tends to occur in patients with a poor response to COH. However, these factors do not explain all cases. Current knowledge of these pathological factors is limited, and treatment is unknown. This study aimed to find out the clinical predictors of EFS before OPU. Methods: In this study, 2342 cycles of 1148 cases that underwent OPU between January 2015 and November 2020 in two reproductive clinics were retrospectively enrolled. Ninety-one and 2251 cycles were classified as EFS (no cultivatable oocytes retrieved) and non-EFS (cultivatable oocytes retrieved), respectively. Results: The EFS and non-EFS incidence was 3.9% and 96.1%, respectively. The mean patient age in the EFS group was higher than that in the non-EFS group (40.3 ± 3.4 years vs. 37.9 ± 4.5 years, p < 0.001). Body mass indexes in the EFS and non-EFS groups were similar (21.7 ± 3.3 kg/m2 vs. 22.0 ± 3.5 kg/m2, p = 0.52). The anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels, antral follicle count (AFC), and the number of follicles were lower in the EFS group than in the non-EFS group (1.0 ± 1.2 ng/mL vs. 2.7 ± 2.5 ng/mL, p < 0.001; 2.9 ± 2.2 vs. 8.5 ± 6.3, p < 0.001; 1.9 ± 1.4 vs. 6.0 ± 4.1, p < 0.001, respectively). However, unlike univariate analysis, logistic regression analysis showed no significant differences in age and AMH levels between the groups. The AFC and number of follicles were still significantly lower in the EFS than in the non-EFS group in multivariate analysis (odds ratio (OR), 1.301; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.138–1.503; p < 0.05 and OR, 1.832; 95% CI, 1.488–2.3; p < 0.05, respectively). The EFS incidence rates for each follicle number just before OPU were 21.2%, 7.8%, 2.7%, and 1.2% with one, two, three, and four follicles, respectively. Not a single case of EFS was found among 410 cases with 10 or more follicles. Conclusions: The AFC and the number of follicles may be predictive of EFS.https://www.imrpress.com/journal/CEOG/50/4/10.31083/j.ceog5004080empty follicle syndromeanti-müllerian hormoneantral follicle countcontrolled ovarian hyperstimulationovarian reserve
spellingShingle Junichiro Mitsui
Kuniaki Ota
Hidetoshi Yamashita
Toshio Sujino
Kenichiro Hiraoka
Shoko Katsumata
Yuko Takayanagi
Yurie Nako
Makiko Tajima
Kumi Ohuchi
Masaru Hayashi
Tomonori Ishikawa
Kiyotaka Kawai
Predictive Factors for Empty Follicle Syndrome in Infertile Patients Undergoing Assisted Reproductive Technology Treatment: A Retrospective Cohort Study and Brief Literature Review
Clinical and Experimental Obstetrics & Gynecology
empty follicle syndrome
anti-müllerian hormone
antral follicle count
controlled ovarian hyperstimulation
ovarian reserve
title Predictive Factors for Empty Follicle Syndrome in Infertile Patients Undergoing Assisted Reproductive Technology Treatment: A Retrospective Cohort Study and Brief Literature Review
title_full Predictive Factors for Empty Follicle Syndrome in Infertile Patients Undergoing Assisted Reproductive Technology Treatment: A Retrospective Cohort Study and Brief Literature Review
title_fullStr Predictive Factors for Empty Follicle Syndrome in Infertile Patients Undergoing Assisted Reproductive Technology Treatment: A Retrospective Cohort Study and Brief Literature Review
title_full_unstemmed Predictive Factors for Empty Follicle Syndrome in Infertile Patients Undergoing Assisted Reproductive Technology Treatment: A Retrospective Cohort Study and Brief Literature Review
title_short Predictive Factors for Empty Follicle Syndrome in Infertile Patients Undergoing Assisted Reproductive Technology Treatment: A Retrospective Cohort Study and Brief Literature Review
title_sort predictive factors for empty follicle syndrome in infertile patients undergoing assisted reproductive technology treatment a retrospective cohort study and brief literature review
topic empty follicle syndrome
anti-müllerian hormone
antral follicle count
controlled ovarian hyperstimulation
ovarian reserve
url https://www.imrpress.com/journal/CEOG/50/4/10.31083/j.ceog5004080
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