High-dose, short-term glucocorticoids for the treatment of infertility resulting from premature ovarian failure.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate prospectively the effects of high-dose, short-term treatment with a glucocorticoid in an attempt to normalize ovarian failure and induce pregnancy in women presenting with infertility.


METHODS
Uncontrolled, nonrandomized prospective study.


METHODS
Two university-based reproductive endocrinology clinics.


METHODS
Eleven consecutive women with premature ovarian failure (POF) who were desirous of pregnancy.


METHODS
Prednisone 25 mg four times per day for 2 weeks.


METHODS
Two women demonstrated normalization of their serum gonadotropins, an increase of serum E2, and ultrasonographic visualization of follicular growth, with both conceiving. The other nine demonstrated no biochemical or clinical response.


CONCLUSIONS
Premature ovarian failure may not be an irreversible process and may either spontaneously resolve or may respond to therapeutic modalities such as high-dose glucocorticoids in selected patients. In this uncontrolled study, the results were best with women with concomitant autoimmune thyroid disease and POF of < 2 years' duration.
Corenblum
B
B
University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Rowe
T
T
Taylor
P J
PJ
D000328:Adult; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016649:Primary Ovarian Insufficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014463:Ultrasonography
D004958:Estradiol; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D011241:Prednisone