In a Study of Patients Seeking Assisted Reproductive Technology, Researchers

question 19

Multiple Choice

In a study of patients seeking assisted reproductive technology, researchers examined the level of FSH in each patient as well as the average number of oocytes they were able to retrieve. Here is an approximation of the data.
$$\begin{array} { | l | l | l | l | l | } \hline && \text { Older than 33 but } & \text { Older than } 38 \text { but } & \\& \text { Younger than 33 } & \text { younger than } 37 & \text { younger than } 41 & \text { Older than } 41 \\\hline \text { FSH levels } & \text { paseline } = 100 \% & 112 \% & 117 \% & 122 \% \\\hline \text { Oocytes retrieved } & 8.8 & 7.5 & 4.7 & 3.2 \\\hline\end{array}$$ Source: Adapted from Barad, D. H., Weghofer, A., and Gleicher, N. (2007) . Age-specific levels for basal follicle-stimulating hormone assessment of ovarian function. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 109(6) : 1404-1410.
-What explanation might there be for the relationship between number of oocytes and the levels of FSH?

• A) It takes more FSH to develop more oocytes.
• B) Ovarian response to FSH declines with age.
• C) The number of FSH receptors on the oocyte increase with age.
• D) Oocytes in older women are larger and therefore need more FSH to produce them.