title: Predictive value of the FSH:LH ratio on follicular and luteal phase characteristics of the human menstrual cycle.
abstract: A prospective study was designed to assess the predictive value of gonadotropin measurements obtained during the early follicular phase upon the hormonal characteristics of the subsequent cycle. The data obtained in 12 normal cycles were used to compute the mean and confidence interval (mean +/- 2 SEM) of the FSH:LH ratio, FSH and LH plasma levels. The limits of the confidence intervals for these different parameters were used to classify the patients. Data of 204 patients were analysed. Low FSH:LH ratios (less than 1.34) are associated with an increase in follicular phase length (+2.4 days), a lower ovulatory rate, but neither luteal phase length nor progesterone levels differ between these two groups. When patients are classified according to FSH levels, our results show that low FSH levels (less than 2.94 mIU/ml) are associated with longer follicular (+2.6 days) and shorter (-1.1 days) luteal phase lengths, but ovulatory rate and progesterone levels in the luteal phase of the ovulatory cycles are similar to those obtained in patients of the normal or high FSH group. High LH levels (greater than 3.15 mIU/ml) are associated with a decreased ovulation rate but follicular and luteal phase characteristics are similar to those obtained in patients in the normal or low LH group. In conclusion, low FSH: LH ratios and low FSH plasma levels measured in the early follicular phase of the cycle are associated with longer follicular phase lengths; but basal gonadotropin measurements have limited predictive value on luteal phase characteristics.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Centre Hospitalier Intercommunal, Créteil, France.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rotten
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Vielh
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Jolivet
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Gautray
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000032:analysis*; D005498:Follicular Phase; D006801:Humans; D008183:Luteal Phase; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000032:analysis*; D008597:Menstrual Cycle; D010060:Ovulation / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone