Differences in hormonal characteristics of conceptive versus nonconceptive menstrual cycles.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the hormonal characteristics of a fecund menstrual cycle.


METHODS
Prospective observational study.


METHODS
Clinical research center.


METHODS
Fourteen patients having artificial insemination with donor semen provided daily blood and urine samples in a nonconceptive cycle and the consecutive conceptive cycle.


METHODS
Concentrations of E2, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and P4 were measured in serum. Urine samples were analyzed for metabolites of E2, P4, and FSH.


METHODS
The serum and urinary hormone profiles of the periovulatory period were compared in conceptive and nonconceptive cycles.


RESULTS
The mean peak value of periovulatory urinary FSH was significantly higher in conceptive cycles than in nonconceptive cycles. The mean serum E2 concentration was significantly higher on day 0 (day of peak urinary FSH concentration) in conceptive cycles than in nonconceptive cycles, but mean peak values of serum E2 did not differ significantly. No other significant differences were observed in serum and urinary hormone profiles between conceptive and nonconceptive cycles.


CONCLUSIONS
A lower, broader peak of FSH in urine was observed in nonconceptive cycles compared with conceptive cycles. Urinary FSH measurements may be useful in predicting less fecund ovulatory cycles and may identify some types of reduced female fertility.
Institute of Toxicology and Environmental Health and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California, Davis, USA.
H
H
Li
S T
ST
Nakajima
J
J
Chen
H E
HE
Todd
J W
JW
Overstreet
B L
BL
Lasley
D000328:Adult; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D006728:Hormones / Q000097:blood* / Q000652:urine*; D006801:Humans; D007316:Insemination, Artificial, Heterologous; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008597:Menstrual Cycle; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D011446:Prospective Studies
D006728:Hormones; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone