Predicting optimal cervical mucus for infertility diagnosis.
OBJECTIVE
We studied the relationship between cervical mucus evaluations and daily fertility examinations in order to find monitoring techniques that can predict optimal mucus one day before it occurs.


METHODS
Twenty-three healthy young female volunteers were followed during one spontaneous cycle with serial measurements of serum estradiol, progesterone, LH and FSH, urinary LH, and transvaginal ultrasound measurements of endometrial thickness and follicles. Data were related to cervical mucus scores.


RESULTS
All cycles were ovulatory with optimal mucus, but in 14 optimal mucus was present for only one day. Echographic measurement of the leading follicle (mean diameter > or = 18 mm) could predict the day of optimal mucus in 78% and estradiol (> 700 pmol/l) in 83% of the cases. These two measurements combined predicted optimal mucus in 100% of the investigated women one day in advance.


CONCLUSIONS
Optimal cervical mucus parameters can be predicted one day in advance by serial measurements of serum estradiol and follicular diameters.
Oei
S G
SG
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, St. Joseph Hospital, Veldhoven, The Netherlands.
Helmerhorst
F M
FM
Bloemenkamp
K W
KW
Dersjant-Roorda
M
M
Keirse
M J
MJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002582:Cervix Mucus; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests
D004958:Estradiol