Blood flow changes in the ovarian and uterine arteries in women with normal and polycystic ovaries

This review summarizes the haemodynamic changes in the ovarian and uterine arteries, as revealed by transvaginal colour Doppler ultrasonography, (i) in women with normal ovaries (group 1), (ii) in women with the polycystic ovary syndrome who ovulate in response to clomiphene citrate (group 2) and (iii) in women with polycystic ovaries who have a regular ovulatory menstrual cycle (group 3). In each group blood flow velocities in the intraovarian arteries increased during the menstrual cycle in the dominant ovary and remained high in the mid-luteal phase. There was no significant change in pulsatility index. In group 2, the longitudinal haemodynamic changes in the intraovarian arteries were similar to those seen in women with normal ovaries. However, the follicular and ovarian stromal blood flow velocities were greater in group 2 compared with the normal group. There was a significant increase in the pulsatility index of the uterine artery during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle and a subsequent decrease into the midluteal phase. Uterine artery pulsatility index was also significantly greater at the baseline ultrasound scan in group 2. In group 3, the longitudinal haemodynamic changes in the intraovarian arteries were similar to those in group 1. Furthermore, the intraovarian vascular changes were similar to those in group 2, but velocities were significantly greater than in group 1. There was an increase in uterine artery pulsatility index during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle and a subsequent decrease into the mid-luteal phase. The uterine artery Doppler changes were similar to those seen in group 2. In conclusion, women with polycystic ovaries have significant differences in ovarian and uterine artery haemodynamics. Increased ovarian stromal blood flow within the polycystic ovary may help to explain the increased ovarian responsiveness that women with polycystic ovaries show after administration of gonadotrophins.