Chicago-area Infertility Specialist Richard Sherbahn, MD, Reports a Woman's Body Mass Index Affects Her Success in Infertility ...(ref http://www.advancedfertility.com/ivf...),Health

"Antral follicles are tiny cystic structures in the ovaries -- measuring only two to eight millimeters -- that contain eggs," Dr. Sherbahn explains. "A woman's eggs grow to maturity in these follicles. We can see antral follicles, also known as resting follicles, on an ultrasound."

"In my opinion, the antral follicle count is the best tool we have for estimating the number of eggs left in a woman's ovaries," says Dr. Sherbahn. "This count, in conjunction with a woman's age, is a good method for gauging her chances of success with in-vitro fertilization. Normally, the more antral follicles, the more eggs -- and the greater a woman's chances of IVF success."

"Our research found that the average number of antral follicles and eggs retrieved was significantly higher in the group of women with 30-plus BMI," Dr. Sherbahn explains.

The rate of day-five embryo transfers -- which have a greater chance of success than day-three transfers -- was also significantly higher in the increased BMI group. "We did not find any notable differences between the two BMI groups in the other variables we studied," says Dr. Sherbahn.

Although the women with a higher BMI had significantly more antral follicles and eggs retrieved and a higher likelihood of having a day-five transfer, there was no difference between the BMI groups in the rates of clinical pregnancy, miscarriage or live births.

"It's possible that the higher number of eggs and greater chance for a
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