The return of postpartum fertility monitored by enzyme-immunoassay for salivary progesterone.
A longitudinal study in which daily salivary progesterone and estrone were measured by solid-phase enzyme-immunoassays was performed in 30 postpartum women to monitor the return of ovarian activity. Ovulation was inferred from a sustained rise in salivary progesterone over 251 pmol/l, but salivary estrone measurements were not as informative as progesterone in this regard. Recovery of ovarian activity was slower in lactating women compared with non-lactators; the mean delivery-menstruation interval were 123 (+/- 10) and 57 (+/- 7) days, respectively. An abnormal luteal phase was noted in 35% of the first ovulatory cycles, 20% had short luteal phases and 15% were less than the 5th percentile of a normal control corridor. The pregnancy rate in this study of 3.3% was lower than the anticipated rate of 8.8%. We conclude that salivary progesterone measurements are useful for monitoring the return of ovarian activity postnatally.
Bolaji
I I
II
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University College, Galway, Ireland.
Tallon
D F
DF
Meehan
F P
FP
O'Dwyer
E M
EM
Fottrell
P F
PF
D000328:Adult; D004970:Estrone / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007774:Lactation / Q000378:metabolism; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000378:metabolism; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D011374:Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism*; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000378:metabolism*
D004970:Estrone; D011374:Progesterone