title: Ovulatory potential of preovulatory sized follicles during oral contraceptive treatment.
abstract: The ovulatory potential of preovulatory follicles was studied in five women taking monophasic gestodene pills containing 20 micrograms of ethinyl estradiol. After one normal pill cycle, follicles were allowed to grow to 16 mm in diameter by deliberate extension of the pill-free period. Once the size of the leading follicle reached 16 mm, the women resumed oral contraceptives for the following 21 days to investigate whether ovulation can be inhibited by late onset of the pill. In addition, 100 micrograms of gonadotropin releasing hormone analog was given intravenously on the third pill day to induce ovulation. Follicular growth and activity were monitored by ultrasonography and by serum concentrations of ethinyl estradiol, progesterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle stimulating hormone from the last pill day of the first cycle until the end of the second pill intake of 21 days. An increase in luteinizing hormone secretion started before intravenous administration of a gonadotropin releasing hormone analog in all women, eventually leading to ovulation in four of five women. One woman developed an unruptured follicle. Thus, the ovulatory potential of a 16-mm functional follicle cannot be inhibited by reintroduction of pills containing 20 micrograms ethinyl estradiol and 75 micrograms of gestodene.
authors.affiliation: Family Federation of Finland (Väestöliitto), Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Elomaa
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lähteenmäki
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D045166:Estradiol Congeners / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D009652:Norpregnenes / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D010060:Ovulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D045167:Progesterone Congeners / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; D045166:Estradiol Congeners; D009652:Norpregnenes; D045167:Progesterone Congeners; C033273:Gestodene; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone