Relationship between midcycle luteinizing hormone surge quality and oocyte fertilization.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether alterations in preovulatory follicular fluid (FF) levels of LH, FSH, and steroids are associated with the probability of fertilization.


METHODS
Retrospective analysis of prospective study results.


METHODS
Reproductive medicine clinic of a university teaching hospital.


METHODS
Infertile women, with unstimulated, apparently regular cycles in an IVF research program.


METHODS
Measurement of preovulatory FF levels of LH, FSH, E2, and P and serum LH levels by fluoroimmunometry.


METHODS
Oocyte fertilization.


RESULTS
There were 84 transferable embryos (rate of normal fertilization and cleavage, 67%), and 41 oocytes (33%) failed to fertilize. Analysis of the matched FF showed that the median concentration of FF LH was significantly higher for cleaving embryos than for unfertilized oocytes (14.6 vs. 10.4 IU/L). Serum LH concentrations were similarly higher in cycles with cleaving embryos. There were no statistically significant differences in FF concentrations of FSH, E2, or P in the two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Reduced preovulatory FF LH levels are associated with impaired fertilization of oocytes in vitro, despite normal FF FSH and steroid levels.
Verpoest
W M
WM
Centre for Reproductive Medicine, University of Bristol, St Michael's Hospital, Avon, United Kingdom.
Cahill
D J
DJ
Harlow
C R
CR
Hull
M G
MG
D004958:Estradiol / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000032:analysis; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D009865:Oocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D010060:Ovulation; D011374:Progesterone / Q000032:analysis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone