<p>The objective of this research was to assess ultrasound image attributes of human dominant ovarian follicles in the final stages of development during natural and oral contraceptive (OC) cycles, as well as characterize ovarian follicular and endometrial development during and after continuous versus conventional dosing schemes. We utilized sophisticated computer algorithms to elucidate an association between image attributes and physiologic status of follicles in their final stage of development. We used transvaginal ultrasonography to quantify changes in the numbers and diameters of ovarian follicles and changes in endometrial thickness and pattern during and following discontinuation of two different regimens of OC. Developmental changes in ovarian follicles and corpora lutea were correlated with serum estradiol-17รข and progesterone, respectively to provide a comprehensive approach to examining ovarian and uterine function. </p><p>We reported for the first time that follicles which develop during natural and OC cycles have similar image attributes, which provides preliminary evidence that image attributes of human follicles are associated with physiologic status during the growth phase. Further research should be performed to elucidate the exact correlation between image attributes during all stages of follicular development throughout the menstrual cycle, prediction of dysfunctional follicular development (i.e., hemorrhagic anovulatory follicles) and the effects of different OC formulations on follicle development. Once the association between image attributes and various scenarios of follicular development are determined, a computer program could be developed to assess follicular health with a single ultrasound examination, obviating many ethical constraints that currently prevent large scale progress in ovarian follicular research.
We further documented that continuous OC administration schemes provide greater follicular suppression than conventional dosing schemes. No dominant follicles developed during three consecutive 28 day cycles of continuous OC use, whereas eight dominant follicles developed during the same time period of conventional OC use. We interpreted these findings to mean that continuous OC dosing schemes provide a more effective contraceptive with a decreased risk of escape ovulation compared to conventional dosing schemes. Most follicles ovulated in the immediate cycle following discontinuation of OC. We suggest that the delay to fertility following cessation of OC is not due to anovulation but other yet, unknown, biological factors. </p>
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:USASK/oai:usask.ca:etd-04302005-062845 |
| Date | 02 May 2005 |
| Creators | Birtch, Rebecca Lynn |
| Contributors | Singh, Jaswant, Ramsden, Vivian, Pierson, Roger A., Olatunbosun, Olufemi A., Adams, Gregg P. |
| Publisher | University of Saskatchewan |
| Source Sets | University of Saskatchewan Library |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | http://library.usask.ca/theses/available/etd-04302005-062845/ |
| Rights | unrestricted, I hereby certify that, if appropriate, I have obtained and attached hereto a written permission statement from the owner(s) of each third party copyrighted matter to be included in my thesis, dissertation, or project report, allowing distribution as specified below. I certify that the version I submitted is the same as that approved by my advisory committee. I hereby grant to University of Saskatchewan or its agents the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible, under the conditions specified below, my thesis, dissertation, or project report in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. I retain all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis, dissertation or project report. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis, dissertation, or project report. |
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