Hormonal secretions in singleton pregnancies arising from the implantation of fresh or frozen embryos after oocyte donation in women with ovarian failure.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), 17 beta-estradiol (E2), and progesterone (P) are different in the peri-implantation phase of fresh versus frozen embryos.


METHODS
Hormonal secretions were measured on days 9 and 11 after implantation and at 4, 5, and 6 weeks gestation.


METHODS
Thirty-one pregnancies were achieved in 65 patients with ovarian failure. Seventeen singleton pregnancies developed after implantation of 4 frozen and 13 fresh embryos.


RESULTS
Human chorionic gonadotropin and E2, contrary to P, were higher in cases of fresh embryos from the 9th day after transfer to the 5th week at which time they become statistically significant (respectively, for hCG and E2, 5,800.3 +/- 332.3 versus 2,027.3 +/- 916.3 [mean +/- SD] mIU/mL for hCG and 562.3 +/- 215 versus 291 +/- 152 pg/mL for E2).


CONCLUSIONS
This difference might be explained by either the higher number of fresh embryo replaced or by the fact that the number of blastomeres and also their metabolic activity could be reduced after freezing and thawing.
Salat-Baroux
J
J
Université Paris VI, France.
Cornet
D
D
Alvarez
S
S
Antoine
J M
JM
Mandelbaum
J
J
Plachot
M
M
D000328:Adult; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000379:methods*; D010064:Embryo Implantation; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D009926:Organ Preservation / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016649:Primary Ovarian Insufficiency / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D014427:Twins
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol