[The functional ovarian reserve in assisted reproduction. A clinical dilemma]

The response to supraphysiological ovarian stimulation in Assisted Reproduction (particularly FIV-TE and GIFT) may be very heterogeneous, despite the fact that selected patients have clinical and paraclinical characteristics very homogeneous. Highly significant differences, were found, in two groups of patients with similar clinical characteristics, who were stimulated with the same scheme. Group I (Adequate response = 22 patients) and Group II (Inadequate response = 13 patients), regarding to basal seric levels of FSH (P = 0.007) and to quality of follicular response (P = 0.000). These results suggest that quality of response to supraphysiological ovarian stimulation, may reflect a "Functional ovarian reserve" and that this can be predicted (partially) with basal seric levels of FSH; but, may be, the inadequate response, paradoxical to certain point, would not represent an ovarian failure or a resistant ovarian syndrome, incipient or transitory during the reproductive age?