ASSESSMENT OF OVARIAN VOLUME IN APPARENTLY HEALTH WOMEN OF CHILDBEARING AGE IN NNEWI METROPOLIS AND THEIR ANTHROPOMETRIC PARAMETERS

ABSTRACT: Background: Ovarian volume is an important parameter in reproductive health, relevant to fertility assessment and gynecological diagnosis. Its relationship with anthropometric measures such as BMI, weight, height, and waist–hip ratio, as well as menstrual cycle phases, remains underexplored, particularly in African populations. Establishing these associations is crucial for improving diagnostic accuracy and developing region‑specific reference values. This study assessed ovarian volume characteristics in apparently healthy women of reproductive age (15–49 years) residing in the Nnewi metropolis, alongside their anthropometric indices. Materials and methods: A cross‑sectional study was conducted among 152 women aged 21–40 years. Anthropometric measurements including height, weight, BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, and WHR were obtained. Ovarian volume was measured by transvaginal ultrasound. Data analysis employed descriptive statistics, Spearman’s correlation, ANOVA with post hoc tests, normality assessments, and multiple regression modeling to identify predictors of ovarian volume. Results: The mean ovarian volume was 7.64 cm³. Strong positive correlations were observed between ovarian volume and weight (r = 0.527, p < 0.001), BMI (r = 0.743, p < 0.001), and WHR (r = 0.405, p < 0.001), while height showed no significant correlation. Age group comparisons revealed significantly higher ovarian volumes in women aged 31–35 and 36–40 years compared to younger groups. Menstrual cycle phase demonstrated no significant correlation (r = 0.003, p = 0.966). Regression analysis identified height, weight, BMI, and age as significant determinants, explaining 71.7% of the variance, while WHR and menstrual phase were not predictive. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that ovarian volume is strongly influenced by age and body composition, particularly BMI and weight, but not by menstrual cycle phase. The findings provide region specific data and a predictive model for ovarian volume, contributing to reproductive health knowledge and offering practical implications for fertility assessment, gynecological evaluation, and public health interventions. Keywords: Body mass index, ovarian volume, PCOS, Ultrasound