Experience with transvaginal ultrasound-guided aspiration of supernumerary follicles for the prevention of multiple pregnancies after ovulation induction and intrauterine insemination

C. De Geyter, Christian De Geyter, M De Geyter, Maria De Geyter, Eduardo Camelo de Castro, E Castro, M Bals-Pratsch, M. Bals‐Pratsch, Eberhard Nieschlag, E Nieschlag, H. P. G. Schneider, H P Schneider
Fertility and sterility · 1996 · vol. 65(6) , pp. 1163–1168 · doi:10.1016/s0015-0282(16)58332-0 · PMID:8641491 · W254206643
RCT OA: closed CC0 ⤵ 3 in-corpus citations
View on OpenAlex View on PubMed View at publisher
⚙ AI-generated summary by gemini-2.5-flash-lite, 2026-06-08 ⓘ

This study explored the effectiveness of transvaginal ultrasound-guided aspiration of supernumerary follicles to reduce multiple pregnancies following ovulation induction and intrauterine insemination.

One-sentence paraphrase of the abstract; not a substitute for reading it. No clinical advice. How this works

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To avoid multiple pregnancies caused by ovulation induction. SETTING: Infertile couples treated in the Women's Hospital and the Institute of Reproductive Medicine of the University of Münster, Münster, Germany. DESIGN: The outcome of ovulation induction in patients in whom supernumerary ovarian follicles were aspirated transvaginally was compared with the outcome in patients in whom this intervention was not necessary. In a second randomized prospective study, the efficacy of a low dosage of gonadotropins was compared with a higher dosage. PATIENTS: Two hundred twenty-seven couples suffering from male infertility, unexplained infertility, incipient ovarian failure, and polycystic ovaries. INTERVENTIONS: Aspirations were performed if more than three follicles were sized > 14 mm. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Number of (multiple) pregnancies. RESULTS: During 232 ovulation inductions, 127 aspirations of supernumerary follicles were performed (54.7%). The pregnancy rate (PR) in these cycles was similar to cycles in which aspirations were unnecessary (24.4% versus 21.9%). The efficacy of 75 units of FSH administered daily during the recruitment phase of follicular development was equivalent to 150 units of FSH (PR: 32.4% versus 31.6%), but supernumerary follicles were fewer (26.5% versus 76.3%). Six twins, two triplets (multiple PR: 10.4%), and no ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Transvaginal aspiration of supernumerary follicles does not reduce the PR in ovulation induction. Supernumerary follicles can be avoided by low-dose administration of gonadotropins without compromising the PR.

My notes (saved in your browser only)

MeSH descriptors

Infertility Ovarian Follicle Ovulation Induction Pregnancy, Multiple Suction Vagina Female Follicle Stimulating Hormone Follicle Stimulating Hormone Follicle Stimulating Hormone Humans Infertility Insemination, Artificial Male Ovarian Follicle Pregnancy Pregnancy Outcome Prospective Studies Suction Ultrasonography

Citation neighborhood (sparse)

Too few in-corpus citations on either side for a chart; here are the lists.

Cites (2)

Cited by (2)

References (24)

Cited by (2)

Source provenance

openalex
last seen: 2026-05-13T18:37:28.025090+00:00
pubmed
last seen: 2026-10-08T21:59:43.143194+00:00
License: CC0 · commercial use OK