Effects of induced hyperprolactinemia on in vitro fertilization cycles.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of induced endogenous hyperprolactinemia on the luteinization process, as expressed by the shift in the P:E2 ratio after hCG injection in IVF cycles.


METHODS
Serum PRL, E2, and P levels were measured in 49 IVF patients (leuprolide acetate and hMG protocol) on the day of hCG injection. Estradiol and P also were measured on the day after hCG. Serum P:E2 ratios were calculated for two groups of patients; group I (control): PRL < or = 20 ng/mL (conversion factor to SI unit, 1.00); group II (hyperprolactinemia): PRL > 20 ng/mL. Estradiol and P also were measured in follicular fluid (FF) and the gamete performance was compared between groups.


RESULTS
Data analysis showed no significant differences in the mean +/- SD serum peak E2 (pg/mL; conversion factor to SI unit, 3.671) between groups: group I, 1,769 +/- 843; group II, 2,333 +/- 1,194; the mean FF E2 (pg/mL) group I, 351 +/- 221; group II, 370 +/- 186; or the mean FF P (ng/mL; conversion factor to SI unit, 3.180) group I, 8,357 +/- 3,127; group II, 11,354 +/- 12,888. No significant differences were found between groups in the P:E2 ratios on days 1 or 2: group I, 78 +/- 48 and 209 +/- 137; group II, 70 +/- 47 and 224 +/- 197, respectively. The magnitude of the P shift also showed no significant difference between the two groups; the mean +/- SD shift in the P level was 2.9 +/- 2.2 for group I, and 4.3 +/- 5.1 for group II. The serum PRL level had no effect on the fertilization rate (60% for group I and 70% for group II) or on the pregnancy rate (17% for group I and 23% for group II).


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that mild endogenous hyperprolactinemia induced by ovarian stimulation does not affect granulosa cell luteinization and gamete performance in humans.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois 60612-3864.
M W
MW
Piekos
Z
Z
Binor
R G
RG
Rawlins
E
E
Radwanska
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006966:Hyperprolactinemia / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced*; D016729:Leuprolide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008596:Menotropins / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D011247:Pregnancy; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D008596:Menotropins; D016729:Leuprolide