Basal follicle--stimulating hormone levels on day 3 of previous cycle are predictive of in vitro fertilization outcome.

Serum FSH level may be an indicator of the functional potential of the ovary. The basic control of LH and FSH is by a negative feedback system involving the hypothalamus, anterior pituitary, and ovary. Basal serum FSH on day 3 of previous cycles in 36 patients underwent ovarian stimulation with a combination of GnRH agonist and FSH and hMG in an IVF program were evaluated. The results in this study show that a high basal serum FSH level is associated with a higher cancellation rate, a lower peak serum E2 level, lower number of oocytes retrieved and a lower clinical pregnancy rate.