title: Effects of progesterone on luteinizing hormone release and estradiol/progesterone ratio in the luteal phase of women superovulated for in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer.
abstract: The present study extends the information on the effects of progesterone (P) on the luteinizing hormone (LH) release, and estradiol (E2)/P ratio in the luteal phase in women superovulated for in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET). Two groups of 34 patients were induced for ovulation with clomiphene citrate and human menopausal gonadotropins. One group was given 25 mg P (Gesterol, Steris Laboratory Inc., Phoenix, AZ) at the time of, or 4 to 6 hours before human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration and another group served as control (no Gesterol). Of the 34 patients in the Gesterol group, 10 had Gesterol 4 to 6 hours before the administration of hCG, 13 at the time of hCG, and 11 after the spontaneous LH surge. Administration of Gesterol 4 to 6 hours before hCG significantly increased the LH values (19.0 +/- 10.3) compared with those who had Gesterol at the time of hCG (6.8 +/- 2.8, P = 0.0006). A single dose of Gesterol (25 mg P) significantly reduced the E2/P ratio during the luteal phase (P = 0.0005). However, the outcome of IVF-ET was the same in the Gesterol and no-Gesterol groups. It is concluded that a significant increase in P triggers an LH surge and a single dose of Gesterol decreases E2/P ratio in the luteal phase of women after ovarian stimulation. The biochemical mechanisms are unclear.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Mahadevan
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fleetham
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Taylor
mesh_terms: D004624:Embryo Transfer; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D008183:Luteal Phase; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D010060:Ovulation; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013480:Superovulation
chemical_list: D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone