Human chorionic gonadotropin administration does not increase plasma androgen levels in patients undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of hCG administered to patients undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation on levels of ovarian hormones, including androgens.


METHODS
Prospective analysis.


METHODS
Assisted Reproduction Unit, Hôpital Antoine Béclère, Clamart, France.


METHODS
Six infertile, normally ovulating volunteers.


METHODS
The women underwent controlled ovarian hyperstimulation with a GnRH agonist and hMG for IVF-ET. After the i.m. administration of hCG (10,000 IU), blood samples were drawn every 6 hours for 4 days.


METHODS
Plasma androstenedione, testosterone, progesterone, and E2 profiles.


RESULTS
Treatment with hMG increased plasma androstenedione and testosterone levels 1.4-fold and 2.6-fold, respectively. The administration of hCG did not increase plasma androstenedione and testosterone levels any further; mean daily levels remained at 2.3 ng/mL and 0.64 ng/mL, respectively. Circadian changes in androstenedione levels were evident after hCG administration. Plasma progesterone levels neared 10 ng/mL 19 hours after hCG administration, plateaued for 24 hours, and increased again thereafter. Plasma E2 levels declined during the first 2 days after hCG administration and then increased, concomitant with the second phase of progesterone elevation.


CONCLUSIONS
In patients undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, androgen levels increased in response to hMG treatment, but no further elevation occurred after hCG administration. The rate of elevation of progesterone levels and the absolute levels achieved were 3-fold and 10-fold higher, respectively, than those observed during spontaneous menstrual cycles.
Fanchin
R
R
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology, Hôpital Antoine Béclère, Clamart, France. renato.fanchin@abc.ap-hop-paris.fr
de Ziegler
D
D
Taieb
J
J
Olivennes
F
F
Castracane
V D
VD
Frydman
R
R
D000328:Adult; D000728:Androgens / Q000097:blood*; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000097:blood; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010064:Embryo Implantation; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000379:methods*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D012016:Reference Values; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D000728:Androgens; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D013739:Testosterone; D000735:Androstenedione; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol