Pharmacokinetics of exogenous gonadotropin and ovarian response in in vitro fertilization.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the diffusion of gonadotropin into the follicular fluid (FF) and its relation to the results achieved in a human IVF-ET program.


METHODS
Retrospective pharmacokinetic study.


METHODS
Fukuoka University Hospital, Japan.


METHODS
Eighty-seven infertile patients underwent 137 cycles of IVF-ET.


METHODS
Serum and FF were collected at the time of oocyte recovery. The hCG ratio (between follicular hCG and serum hCG concentrations, measured by time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay) was evaluated as an index of the diffusion of exogenous gonadotropin.


METHODS
Relation between hCG ratio and the results and outcome of the IVF-ET program.


RESULTS
The hCG ratio decreased with the total dosage of hMG and increased with the serum E2 level, the number of oocytes recovered, and the number of oocytes fertilized. Patients with a poor response showed a low hCG ratio, which was associated with a complete lack of fertilization. The mean hCG ratio in the pregnant cycles was significantly higher than that in the nonpregnant cycles. An hCG ratio > 0.46 was seen in all pregnant cycles.


CONCLUSIONS
The diffusion of exogenous gonadotropin into the FF may be an important predictor of IVF outcome.
Nagata
Y
Y
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Fukuoka University, Japan. ngt cl@aol.com
Honjou
K
K
Sonoda
M
M
Sumii
Y
Y
Inoue
Y
Y
Kawarabayashi
T
T
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005300:Fertility Agents, Female / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods*; D015200:Fluoroimmunoassay; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008596:Menotropins / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008597:Menstrual Cycle; D009865:Oocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D005300:Fertility Agents, Female; D004958:Estradiol; D008596:Menotropins