title: Utility of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), oestradiol and FSH:LH ratio in predicting reproductive age in normal women.
abstract: The relative efficacy of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), FSH:LH ratio and oestradiol is evaluated as a predictor of ovarian reserve (reproductive age) in normal women. Serum levels of FSH, LH, oestradiol and FSH:LH ratios were measured during menstrual cycle days 1-4 in younger (20-25 years; n = 23) and older (40-45 years; n = 32) reproductive age women with regular menstruation and normal reproductive function. On days 1-4, mean levels of FSH, oestradiol and FSH:LH ratios were significantly higher in older compared with younger women. FSH increased in concentration across cycle days in both age groups. A significantly lower LH value in younger versus older women was found only on day 1. Oestradiol showed no change across days in the younger group, but increased significantly from day 1 to day 4 in the older group. FSH values on days 1 or 2 were the best single predictor of age differences. However, the best prediction of age differences was obtained by using the combination of FSH and LH (as opposed to the FSH:LH ratio) on day 1 of the menstrual cycle.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle 98195, USA.
authors.forename: Y K
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Wasser
authors.forename: V Y
authors.initials: VY
authors.lastname: Fujimoto
authors.forename: N A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Klein
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Soules
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging / Q000097:blood* / Q000502:physiology*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D005498:Follicular Phase / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D004958:Estradiol; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone