Ultrasonic measurement of ovarian follicles, ovarian and uterine size during induction of ovulation with human gonadotrophins.

Twelve anovulatory women were examined by compound B-mode and real-time ultrasound scanning during incubation of follicular maturation and ovulation by human gonadotrophins. The treatment was monitored by daily serum oestrogen determinations. Ovarian follicles became visible on the ultrasound scans after 4 days of treatment, on average. The mean follicular diameter at that time was 8 mm. Multiple follicles developed in all but one of the 12 patients. At induction of ovulation the diameter of the dominant follicle varied between 15 and 22 mm. The serum oestrogen level was related to the number of follicles, the diameter of the greatest follicle and the ovarian size. There was a marked increase in the ovarian size during the treatment. The size of the uterus also increased. Ultrasound may be a valuable complement to daily oestrogen determinations for monitoring human gonadotrophin therapy.