Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether alterations in preovulatory follicular fluid (FF) levels of LH, FSH, and steroids are associated with the probability of fertilization.
DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of prospective study results.
SETTING: Reproductive medicine clinic of a university teaching hospital.
PATIENT(S): Infertile women, with unstimulated, apparently regular cycles in an IVF research program.
INTERVENTION(S): Measurement of preovulatory FF levels of LH, FSH, E2, and P and serum LH levels by fluoroimmunometry.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Oocyte fertilization.
RESULT(S): There were 84 transferable embryos (rate of normal fertilization and cleavage, 67%), and 41 oocytes (33%) failed to fertilize. Analysis of the matched FF showed that the median concentration of FF LH was significantly higher for cleaving embryos than for unfertilized oocytes (14.6 vs. 10.4 IU/L). Serum LH concentrations were similarly higher in cycles with cleaving embryos. There were no statistically significant differences in FF concentrations of FSH, E2, or P in the two groups.
CONCLUSION: Reduced preovulatory FF LH levels are associated with impaired fertilization of oocytes in vitro, despite normal FF FSH and steroid levels.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 75-77 |
| Number of pages | 3 |
| Journal | Fertility and Sterility |
| Volume | 73 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jan 2000 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Estradiol/analysis
- Female
- Fertilization
- Follicle Stimulating Hormone/analysis
- Follicular Fluid/chemistry
- Humans
- Infertility, Female/physiopathology
- Luteinizing Hormone/analysis
- Oocytes/physiology
- Ovulation
- Progesterone/analysis
- Prospective Studies
- Retrospective Studies