Effect of multiple follicular development on uterine perfusion in subsequent spontaneous cycles.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of ovarian hyperstimulation on uterine perfusion during a subsequent natural cycle to evaluate if there is a long-term effect of treatment with gonadotropins.


METHODS
Thirty-five infertile couples were subjected to three cycles of multiple follicular development. Uterine blood flow was determined during the follicular phase, ovulation and luteal phase of the spontaneous cycle preceding and the one following the stimulated cycles.


RESULTS
No significant difference was present among pulsatility index (PI) values in the two cycles. PI values (+/- SD) were 2.05 +/- 0.5, 2.28 +/- 0.4, 2.18 +/- 0.5, 2.13 +/- 0.4 and 2.00 +/- 0.5, respectively, in the pretreatment cycle and 2.32 +/- 0.5, 2.56 +/- 0.6, 2.42 +/- 0.3, 2.37 +/- 0.4 and 2.29 +/- 0.5, respectively, in the posttreatment cycle. An inverse correlation was found between PI values and estradiol in the follicular phase of the first spontaneous cycle. As for radial and subendometrial arteries, no significant difference was present for PI values in the two cycles.


CONCLUSIONS
Multiple follicular development seems not to have a long-term effect on uterine perfusion in the subsequent spontaneous cycle.
Ajossa
S
S
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Cagliari, Italy.
Guerriero
S
S
Paoletti
A M
AM
Mais
V
V
Melis
G B
GB
D000328:Adult; D001158:Arteries; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D005498:Follicular Phase; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000628:therapy*; D008183:Luteal Phase; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008597:Menstrual Cycle; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000502:physiology*; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D011247:Pregnancy; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D011673:Pulsatile Flow; D014599:Uterus / Q000098:blood supply*
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone