Comparative Sonographic Evaluation of Ovarian Volume and Morphology in Infertile and Fertile Women of Reproductive Age

Abstract

Background and Objectives: The ovary is a very important part of the female reproductive system; therefore, ovarian abnormalities are implicated as factors in female infertility. Ultrasound is a reproducible, safe, and affordable modality for assessing the ovary. This study aimed to sonographically evaluate the ovaries in infertile women of reproductive age group and compare the same with age-matched apparently healthy fertile women. Materials and Methods: 215 women of reproductive age group with infertility who had just registered with the Human Reproduction and Research Programme (HRRP) clinic at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) and were yet to commence any form of therapy were recruited for the study with an equal number of age-matched fertile women were recruited as control, making it a total number of 430 women. A high-frequency transvaginal ultrasound probe was used for this study.    Results: The mean ovarian volume among the infertile group (6.64 ± 6.50cm³) was significantly higher than that of the fertile group (4.90 ± 2.60cm³) (p<0.001). The infertile group had significantly higher prevalence of endometriotic cysts 15 (7.0%), polycystic 7 (3.3%), and multicystic ovaries 6 (2.8%). There were no such abnormalities in the fertile group. Conclusion: Mean ovarian volume was significantly higher among infertile women compared to their fertile counterparts, with the majority of the infertile women having a high prevalence of ovarian abnormalities. These findings will better guide the management of infertility.