Assessing the Impact of Age on Ovarian Reserve: Insights from basal FSH and AFC Trends

This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between female age and ovarian reserve markers, specifically Day 2 follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and antral follicle count (AFC), and to determine the statistical significance of these relationships. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 371 women, aged 22 to 42 years, who were recruited for Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) at a university-affiliated tertiary center between 2008 and 2013. Inclusion criteria required no history of ovarian surgery or hormonal therapy within the preceding three months, while exclusion criteria comprised a diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or other endocrine disorders (e.g., thyroid dysfunction, hyperprolactinemia). Descriptive statistics summarized the data, and Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated to assess the relationships. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The analysis revealed a weak, non-significant positive correlation between age and Day 2 FSH (r = 0.18, p = 0.446) and a strong, significant negative correlation between age and AFC (r = -0.61, p = 0.004). These findings indicate that while Day 2 FSH is not significantly associated with age, AFC demonstrates a strong inverse relationship with advancing age, supporting its utility as a sensitive and reliable marker for ovarian reserve.