Clinical evaluation of luteal function.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the ability of luteal phase length determined by basal body temperature (BBT) pattern and a midluteal serum progesterone level to predict the result of an endometrial biopsy in a subsequent cycle.


METHODS
We performed a retrospective analysis of 141 women with a history of infertility who were being evaluated for luteal function. The luteal phase length determined from a BBT chart of one menstrual cycle was compared to a single midluteal serum progesterone level from a second menstrual cycle. These findings were compared to a luteal phase endometrial biopsy performed in a third menstrual cycle. Subjects were divided into four groups depending upon luteal phase length (normal 11 or more days) and serum progesterone level (normal at least 10 ng/mL). The four groups were designated "normal," "short luteal phase," "low progesterone," and "abnormal," depending upon the results of the two tests. The frequency of in- and out-of-phase endometrial biopsy results in the four groups was compared.


RESULTS
There was no difference in the occurrence of an in- or out-of-phase endometrial biopsy when the four groups were compared.


CONCLUSIONS
Neither luteal phase length nor a single midluteal serum progesterone level was predictive of subsequent in-phase or out-of-phase endometrial biopsy.
Nakajima
S T
ST
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California, Davis, Sacramento.
Molloy
M H
MH
Oi
R H
RH
Ohlson
K A
KA
Azevedo
R A
RA
Boyers
S P
SP
D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D001831:Body Temperature; D003338:Corpus Luteum / Q000503:physiopathology; D004717:Endometrium / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008183:Luteal Phase / Q000502:physiology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors
D011374:Progesterone