Hendriks DJ, Kwee J, Mol BW, te Velde ER, Broekmans FJ Ultrasonography as a tool for the prediction of outcome in IVF patients: a comparative meta-analysis of ovarian volume and antral follicle count. Fertil Steril. 2007 Apr;87(4):764-75. Epub 2007 Jan 18.
Hendriks DJ, Mol BW, Bancsi LF, Te Velde ER, Broekmans FJ Antral follicle count in the prediction of poor ovarian response and pregnancy after in vitro fertilization: a meta-analysis and comparison with basal follicle-stimulating hormone level. Fertil Steril. 2005 Feb;83(2):291-301.
Styer AK, Toth TL Antral follicle count in clinical practice: building the bridge from ovarian reserve to in vitro fertilization outcome. Fertil Steril. 2011 Feb;95(2):480-1; discussion 484-5. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2010.11.054. Epub 2010 Dec 23.
A New Tool for Automatic Ovarian Follicle Count and it Abilities to Evaluate Ovarian Reserve
Interventional studies are often prospective and are specifically tailored to evaluate direct impacts of treatment or preventive measures on disease.
Observational studies are often retrospective and are used to assess potential causation in exposure-outcome relationships and therefore influence preventive methods.
Expanded access is a means by which manufacturers make investigational new drugs available, under certain circumstances, to treat a patient(s) with a serious disease or condition who cannot participate in a controlled clinical trial.
Clinical trials are conducted in a series of steps, called phases - each phase is designed to answer a separate research question.
Phase 1: Researchers test a new drug or treatment in a small group of people for the first time to evaluate its safety, determine a safe dosage range, and identify side effects.
Phase 2: The drug or treatment is given to a larger group of people to see if it is effective and to further evaluate its safety.
Phase 3: The drug or treatment is given to large groups of people to confirm its effectiveness, monitor side effects, compare it to commonly used treatments, and collect information that will allow the drug or treatment to be used safely.
Phase 4: Studies are done after the drug or treatment has been marketed to gather information on the drug's effect in various populations and any side effects associated with long-term use.