Progesterone supplementation in the late follicular phase of an in-vitro fertilization cycle: a 'natural' way to time oocyte recovery?
Twenty-eight patients superovulated with clomiphene citrate (CC) and human menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG) were given a single injection of 25 mg progesterone (P group) 4 h prior to the ovulation-inducing injection of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG). Plasma and urinary LH levels were significantly higher (P less than 0.05) in the P group immediately prior to HCG compared to controls. Plasma progesterone concentrations were also elevated (P less than 0.01) in the P group from the time of injection to oocyte recovery. The number of mature oocytes recovered was also higher (P less than 0.001; 59% versus 40% in controls) and the time interval between oocyte recovery and insemination was also shorter (P less than 0.01) in the P group. The pregnancy rate/replacement 15 days after oocyte recovery was 39% versus 23% in the P and control groups respectively. It was concluded that as more mature oocytes were recovered in the P group, progesterone supplementation in the late follicular phase may be beneficial for patients undergoing GIFT. This was borne out when the first two GIFT patients pretreated in this way became pregnant.
Howles
C M
CM
Bourn Hall Clinic, Cambridge, UK.
Macnamee
M C
MC
Edwards
R G
RG
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D005498:Follicular Phase; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D009865:Oocytes; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000379:methods*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone