Proof of concept use of progesterone/estradiol ratio to investigate late follicular progesterone in women with low number of preovulatory follicles.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate late follicular progesterone (P) serum levels in women with a low number of preovulatory follicles in the assisted reproductive technologies (ART) setting.

Methods: Fifty-five consecutive women having four or fewer preovulatory follicles of >14 mm on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration were prospectively evaluated. Spearman correlation tests were performed between serum estradiol (E2) level, serum P level, P/E2 ratio, number of preovulatory follicles, oocytes and embryos.

Short- and long-term outcomes of intraoperative spillage during laparoscopic removal of benign ovarian cysts.

Background: To compare the short- and long-term outcomes in patients with and without intraoperative spillage from benign adnexal masses during laparoscopic removal.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of all cases of laparoscopic removal of ovarian cysts (cystectomy or adnexectomy) in our institution between the years 2013 and 2017, excluding malignant lesions.

Results: During the study period, 186 cases of ovarian cyst removal were identified.

Does the empty follicle syndrome occur in cases of low number of maturing follicles in assisted reproduction?

The pathophysiology of the genuine empty follicle syndrome (EFS) is still debated. Ovarian aging has been contested as a cause of this condition. Our aim was to investigate the occurrence of the genuine EFS in cases of a low number of mature follicles in a prospective manner.

The "vanishing follicle" in women with low number of developing follicles during assisted reproduction.

Objective: To investigate the occurrence of the "vanishing follicle" phenomenon in women with low number of developing follicles in assisted reproduction.

Study Design: Women with ≤ 6 follicles on the day of hCG administration with ≥ 14mm diameter were prospectively studied. Primary outcome measures were disappearance of ≥14mm and all-diameter follicles on the day of oocyte pick-up compared to the day of hCG administration.