title: Multiple follicular development in women with normal menstrual cycles treated with pulsatile gonadotrophin-releasing hormone.
abstract: In a prospective study, 15 patients with normal menstrual cycles were treated with pulsatile gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) for one to four cycles. These cycles were compared to unstimulated cycles of 14 volunteers. There was a surprisingly stable number of large (greater than or equal to 14 mm diameter) follicles per patient. The number of large follicles in induction cycles was significantly greater than in controls (2.4 versus 1.07). This was due to significantly higher follicle stimulating hormone levels during the first days of treatment. Our data provide a rationale for the use of pulsatile GnRH for a safe and mild form of stimulation in assisted reproductive therapies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Academic Hospital of the Vrije Universiteit, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: D D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Braat
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Berkhout
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: ten Brug
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schoemaker
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008597:Menstrual Cycle; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011673:Pulsatile Flow
chemical_list: D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone