The effect of tuberculosis on ovarian reserve among women undergoing IVF in India.

OBJECTIVE

To assess ovarian reserve in infertile women with genital tuberculosis planning to undergo in vitro fertilization and in women of proven fertility, and compare the findings.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted at an outpatient gynecology unit with 104 women with genital tuberculosis and 104 healthy controls. In each group, ovarian reserve tests consisted in estimating serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol, and inhibin B on day 3 of a natural menstrual cycle. On the same day ovarian volume, number of antral follicles, and ovarian stromal blood flow were also estimated.

RESULTS

The mean FSH and LH levels were significantly higher, and the mean inhibin B levels were significantly lower, among the participants with genital tuberculosis than among the controls. Conversely, the mean ovarian volume and the mean number of antral follicles were significantly lower among the participants with genital tuberculosis, as were the mean peak systolic velocity and pulsatility index for each ovary.

CONCLUSION

There is no single absolute predictor of ovarian reserve, but combining the current assessment methods provides a close estimation of a woman's reproductive capability. Values for the studied markers showed that ovarian reserve was compromised in women with genital tuberculosis.