[Echography of the ovarian cycle]

Abstract

Using bidimensional echography 30 normal ovulatory cycles were evaluated. The following parameters were assessed: Ovarian volume; Volume of the dominant follicle; Corpus luteum volume; Residual follicular volume and Stromal volume. The maximum ovarian volume was reached in the dominant ovary the last day before ovulation: 11.68 +/- 0.52 cc, similarly the maximum volume of the dominant follicle: 3.60 +/- 0.36 cc, and the maximum stromal volume in the follicular phase: 7.98 +/- 0.41 cc. The maximum corpus luteum volume was seen on day +2 of the echographic ovulation, the maximum stromal volume was seen on day +7: 8.64 +/- 0.51 cc, in the dominant ovary. In the contralateral ovary the stromal volume did not show significant changes. The residual follicular volume in the dominant ovary, as in the contralateral, diminished gradually from the beginning of the follicular phase except by a slight postovulatory rise. The normal values are established and also the importance of its use in the diagnosis of the functional disorders of the ovary.