The Ovarian Halo-A Valid Sign for Infertility Workup?

Abstract

Martine Valiere, Heloise Gronier, Magali Vatel and Charlotte Sonigo

Female fertility period starts at the menarche which defined as age sexual puberty at which menstrual cycles begin to occur at 11-14 years of female age. Such period continues for about 40 years till reach the menopause occurring at the female age of 45-55 years. At the age of 35 years and before establishment of cessation of menses, there is a gradual decline in the ovarian reserve with subsequent decrease in the female fertility to totally stop at age of menopause. In the last stage of fertility period of females, many women are in need to become pregnant. Therefore, there an increasing necessity for establishment of a diagnostic method to assess the ability of female fertility at such age. A number of women was examined for diagnosis of ability for fertility. This was associated with blood hormonal assay. We observed a new parameter which was never described before. An Ovarian Black Halo, hypoechoic, with avascular appearance which surrounds one or both ovaries, partly or completely. We were surprised to find association between the existence of the halo with decreased AMH and Antral Follicular Count (AFC), while FSH a little higher in women who were consulted for infertility.

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