Estradiol, progesterone and androstenedione content of follicular fluids in 'empty follicles'.
In an in vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer program with human menopausal gonadotropin/human chorionic gonadotropin treatment no oocytes were recovered in 18 out of 788 cycles. Estradiol (E2), progesterone (P) and androstenedione contents of 27 follicles obtained from five of the 18 patients were radioimmunologically measured and P:E2 ratio calculated. Control values of 20 follicles were obtained from four of these five patients in subsequent IVF cycles. A total of 17 oocytes were harvested. Estradiol, progesterone and androstenedione mean +/- SEM values (nmol/l) were, respectively, 4246 +/- 1484, 3751 +/- 1768 and 1920 +/- 641 in the failed cycles and 2504 +/- 908, 13,678 +/- 4749 and 509 +/- 87 in the successful ones. P:E2 ratios were 0.88 +/- 1.03 and 5.67 +/- 1.70, respectively. The differences in these levels of progesterone, androstenedione and the ratios of P:E2 were significant (p < 0.01). It is concluded that the probable cause of 'empty follicles' is inappropriate luteinization and they are not characteristic for a given patient or for stimulation with human menopausal gonadotropin/human chorionic gonadotropin.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical School, Pécs, Hungary.
Z
Z
Bognár
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Z
Manfai
D000328:Adult; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000378:metabolism*; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D004958:Estradiol / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D009865:Oocytes / Q000502:physiology; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000378:metabolism*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism*
D000735:Androstenedione; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol