The effect of melatonin on ultrasound markers of follicular development: A double-blind placebo-controlled randomised trial
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Wallace, Euan Morrison
Rombauts, Luk
White, Nikki
Hong, Jennifer
Vollenhoven, Beverley
Lolatgis, Nicholas
Hope, Nicole
Wong, Melissa
Lawrence, Mark
Lawrence, Anthony
Russell, Chris
Leong, Kenneth
Thomas, Philip
Costa, Fabricio da Silva
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Abstract
Background: Melatonin is a potent oxygen scavenger and is capable of altering blood flow in various vascular beds. Aims: We aimed to determine the effect of melatonin on ovarian vascular indices during ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilisation (IVF). Materials and Methods: This is a pilot double-blind placebo-controlled randomised trial. Sixty-nine women (mean age 35.8 ± 4.3 years) undergoing their first cycle of IVF were randomised to receive either placebo, 2, 4 or 8 mg of melatonin, twice a day. Each participant underwent a transvaginal ultrasound at days 6–10 assessing follicular number and size. The vascularisation index (VI), flow index (FI) and vascularisation-flow index (VFI) were measured. These indices were then correlated with embryological outcomes. Informed consent was obtained from participants. This trial was registered with the Australia New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12613001317785). Results: The number of follicles did not differ between groups (P = 0.4). There were no differences in the VI (P = 0.4), FI (P = 0.1) or VFI (P = 0.3) in the right ovary or the FI (P = 0.3) or VFI (P = 0.3) in the left ovary between groups. When comparing placebo to any dose of melatonin, there were no differences in any measured parameter. While there was correlation between the number of follicles on ultrasound and all measured embryological outcomes, there was no correlation between ovarian vascular indices and these important clinical outcomes. Conclusions: Melatonin does not appear to change ovarian vascular indices during ovarian stimulation. In addition, such vascular indices cannot predict the number or quality of oocytes or embryos obtained in an IVF cycle. These findings require confirmation in future larger studies.
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Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
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60
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1
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© 2019 Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: The effect of melatonin on ultrasound markers of follicular development: A double-blind placebo-controlled randomised trial, Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 2019, 60 (1), pp. 141-148, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1111/ajo.13074. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions. This article may not be enhanced, enriched or otherwise transformed into a derivative work, without express permission from Wiley or by statutory rights under applicable legislation. Copyright notices must not be removed, obscured or modified. The article must be linked to Wiley’s version of record on Wiley Online Library and any embedding, framing or otherwise making available the article or pages thereof by third parties from platforms, services and websites other than Wiley Online Library must be prohibited.
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Reproductive medicine
Science & Technology
Life Sciences & Biomedicine
Obstetrics & Gynecology
assisted reproductive technology
IVF
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Fernando, S; Wallace, EM; Rombauts, L; White, N; Hong, J; Vollenhoven, B; Lolatgis, N; Hope, N; Wong, M; Lawrence, M; Lawrence, A; Russell, C; Leong, K; Thomas, P; Costa, FDS, The effect of melatonin on ultrasound markers of follicular development: A double-blind placebo-controlled randomised trial, Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 2019, 60 (1), pp. 141-148