Transabdominal Doppler-sonographic measurements of blood flow differences in the main pelvic arteries during physiological spontaneous ovarian cycles.

The Doppler flow velocity wave forms originating from the common, external and internal iliac arteries of 20 healthy volunteers were recorded in order to find out if the arteries showed characteristic velocity wave forms. Further questions included whether these flow patterns changed during the ovarian cycle and whether differences between both pelvic sides occurred. The measurements were performed at least every 3 days during ovarian cycles by using the transabdominal Duplex method. The recorded signals were quantified using the pulsatility and resistance indices (PI and RI). In addition, follicular development in the ovaries was monitored by transabdominal ultrasound and the concentrations of follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, oestradiol and progesterone were analysed in venous blood. Nine of the 20 cycles were classified as physiological with a sufficient luteal phase and at least five cardiac cycles were needed to determine one value. The internal iliac arteries showed lower indices than the other arteries (PI, P < 0.001). In these vessels the PI decreased between the day before and the day after ovulation on both sides (PI, P < 0.02, active side). Two days before the demonstration of the corpus luteum, the side carrying the dominant follicle had a lower RI than the side of the passive ovary (RI, P < 0.02). In the luteal phase, however, the side carrying the corpus luteum showed a higher PI than the opposite side (PI, P = 0.05). No significant cyclic changes in PI and RI respectively were found in the external and common iliac arteries.