The Third Ovary-Superfluous Ovary

We report a case of a 25-year-old female who presented with primary infertility with AMH value of 9 ng/ml, and ultrasound image suggesting the possibility of three ovaries seen in two different planes and no polycystic pattern in any ovary. Diagnostic laparoscopy performed in this patient revealed two ovaries on the left side, placed in normal anatomical position. Both having their individual ovarian ligaments connecting both the ovaries separately with the cornual end of the uterus on the left side. However, only the lateral one of the two ovaries on the left was attached to the lateral pelvic wall with infundibulopelvic ligament. The adnexa on the right side was normal. Biopsy confirmed this accessory tissue as an ovary. The “third ovary” in our case is a functional ovary. This explains the rise of AMH value. The ovary responded to ovulation induction, and follicles were retrieved thereafter which later showed fertilization. Hence, confirming their functionality. The occurrence of third ovary has been established in the literature. However, none of the definitions supports our finding, that is, the presence of third functional ovary attached with ovarian ligament and no infundibulopelvic ligament. Hence, we name this unique occurrence as “Superfluous Ovary”.
Source: The Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology of India - Category: OBGYN Source Type: research