Premature luteinization and ovulation induction using human menopausal gonadotrophin or pure follicle stimulating hormone in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.
High ovulation rates can be achieved in women with PCOS, using hMG or FSH to induce ovulation, but the pregnancy rate is lower than expected. To determine whether this might be due to premature luteinization, progesterone levels were measured in the follicular phase of 49 infertile women with PCOS treated with hMG or FSH. The ovulation rate was 88.6% overall and 20 patients conceived. Six pregnancies aborted within four weeks of ovulation. Premature luteinization occurred in 32% of treatment cycles, of which three resulted in conception, compared to 17 conceptions in the 68% of cycles not associated with premature luteinization (p = 0.06). Of the 17 conceptions not associated with premature luteinization, three aborted and 14 proceeded to term; all three conceptions associated with premature luteinization aborted (p = 0.01). These results indicate that premature luteinization in women with PCOS is common, and has a deleterious effect on the rate of conception, and may also be a causal factor in early pregnancy loss.
McFaul
P B
PB
Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast.
Traub
A I
AI
Thompson
W
W
D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization / Q000502:physiology; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005498:Follicular Phase / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008596:Menotropins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood*
D011374:Progesterone; D008596:Menotropins; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone