Ovarian response to gonadotropin stimulation in repeated IVF cycles after unilateral salpingectomy

Purpose: This study aimed to examine ovarian response to gonadotrpoin stimulation after repeated IVF treatment cycles in patients who underwent previous unilateral salpingectomy for tubal pregnancy. Methods: The study group included 26 patients who underwent unilateral salpingectomy for tubal pregnancy 1-9 years prior to starting IVF treatment. A control group of 52 patients with anatomically intact pelvis was treated during the same time period by ICSI. The two groups were matched for age, number of gonadotropin ampules, and length of stimulation. End point measurements included number of follicles, oocytes, and cleaved embryos in consecutive treatment cycles of each group. Results: There were 98 cycles in the study group and 154 cycles in the control group. The mean number of follicles, retrieved oocytes, and cleaved embryos were not different in the two groups, and no reductions in these parameters were noted up to 10 cycles of treatment. The mean number of follicles ipsilateral to the operated side was similar to the number of follicles of the contralateral ovary and was not different whether salpingectomy was by laparoscopy or laparotomy. Conclusions: Unilateral salpingectomy does not affect ipsilateral ovarian response to gonadotropin stimulation even after repeated IVF treatment cycles.