Antral follicle count (AFC) refers to the number of small, fluid-filled sacs called antral follicles that are present in a woman’s ovaries at a specific point in her menstrual cycle, typically on the third day of her menstrual cycle. Your AFC is an important factor when it comes to understanding your reproductive health and choosing the right treatment.
WHAT IS AN ANTRAL FOLLICLE?
Antral follicles are the early stage of ovarian follicles, each containing an immature egg. These follicles have the potential to grow and mature into dominant follicles during the menstrual cycle, one of which will eventually release a mature egg during ovulation.
Assessment of antral follicle count is often done through transvaginal ultrasound, where a doctor or fertility specialist can visualise and count the antral follicles in both ovaries. The AFC provides valuable information about a woman’s ovarian reserve, which is an indicator of her reproductive potential.
A higher antral follicle count generally indicates a better ovarian reserve and suggests a higher likelihood of responding well to fertility treatments such as in vitro fertilization (IVF). Conversely, a lower AFC may suggest a decline in ovarian reserve and might affect fertility potential, particularly for women approaching or in their late 30s and 40s.
WHAT AFC MEANS FOR IVF TREATMENT?
During an IVF cycle, you’ll undergo ovarian stimulation with fertility medications to encourage the growth and maturation of multiple follicles, each containing an egg. The AFC is used as a baseline marker to determine the initial potential response to these medications. Women with a higher AFC are more likely to produce more mature eggs during ovarian stimulation, improving the chances of obtaining multiple viable embryos for fertilization.
The AFC helps the fertility specialist tailor the treatment plan for each person. Based on the AFC and other factors, such as age and previous fertility history, the doctor can adjust the dosage and duration of medications to optimise the number of mature eggs produced during the IVF cycle.
It’s essential to interpret your antral follicle count results alongside other fertility tests, as various factors can influence fertility beyond just the antral follicle count.
If you know your AFC, check out our Fertility Calculator, to see how it may affect your chances of having a baby. Or, if you want to understand AFC in more detail, please book a free appointment with our fertility nurse.