title: Relationship between circulating human chorionic gonadotropin levels and premature luteinization in cycles of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine if premature luteinization (serum P levels > 1.1 ng/mL on or before the day of hCG administration) during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) is associated with elevated levels of serum hCG.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tertiary fertility center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective evaluation of ovum donors undergoing COH.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-four women underwent COH. Comparisons of serum hCG levels and hormonal and cycle characteristics were made between cycles with premature luteinization (group I) and without premature luteinization (group II).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Group I (16 women) were similar to women in group II in age, amount of hMG, and the ratio of FSH:hMG received. Both groups received hCG on similar days, but women in group I had higher peak E2 levels. Serum hCG levels increased and correlated with serum P levels in group I only and were higher on the day of hCG administration (group I 1.8 +/- 0.9 mIU/mL versus group II 1.2 +/- 0.45 mIU/mL; conversion factor to SI unit, 1.00). Peak E2 and LH levels, ampules of hMG and the FSH:LH ratio, and day of hCG administration did not correlate with hCG levels. Human chorionic gonadotropin exposure, as measured by area under the curve, was significantly higher in group I compared with group II.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Higher serum levels of hCG and integrated hCG exposure are found in COH cycles with premature luteinization compared with cycles without premature luteinization. Higher hCG levels may be due to decreased clearance of hCG from the circulation and/or the hCG content of hMG.
authors.affiliation: Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Copperman
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Horowitz
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kaplan
authors.forename: R T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Navot
authors.forename: G E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Hofmann
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood*; D003338:Corpus Luteum / Q000502:physiology*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008596:Menotropins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018587:Oocyte Donation; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D008596:Menotropins; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone