Controlled preparation of the endometrium with exogenous estradiol and progesterone in women having functioning ovaries.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if controlled preparation of the endometrium with exogenous estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) could be achieved in women retaining their ovarian function without requiring prior ovarian suppression with a long-acting agonist of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH-a).


METHODS
Prospective feasibility study of a new simplified hormone regimen for preparation of endometrium receptivity. Six volunteer women received transdermal E2 and vaginal P without prior suppression of their ovarian function with GnRH-a. The control group consisted of previously reported cases receiving GnRH-a and E2 and P.


METHODS
Academic tertiary care institution.


METHODS
Six volunteer women.


METHODS
Participants received transdermal E2 and P after a regimen designed to duplicate the plasma E2 and P levels seen in the menstrual cycle.


METHODS
Endometrial biopsy.


RESULTS
Plasma luteinizing hormone increased to surge levels in one woman on day 11, in two on day 12, and on day 14 in the remaining three women. No follicular growth was noticed on ultrasound, and no increase in plasma P occurred before the onset of P administration on day 15. Day 20 endometrium specimens showed early secretory changes as previously reported in women deprived of ovarian function receiving similar hormonal treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results indicate that controlled preparation of the endometrium can be achieved with exogenous E2 and P without prior ovarian suppression with a GnRH-a in women having functioning ovaries. Hence, administration of exogenous E2 and P appears to be a viable simpler alternative to the combined administration of GnRH-a and exogenous E2 and P, which avoids the side effects and the cost of GnRH-a.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hôpital A. Béclère, Clamart, France.
D
D
de Ziegler
C
C
Cornel
C
C
Bergeron
A
A
Hazout
P
P
Bouchard
R
R
Frydman
D000328:Adult; D004624:Embryo Transfer / Q000379:methods*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D004958:Estradiol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000254:growth & development; D010053:Ovary / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol