title: Ovarian response and pregnancy outcome related to mid-follicular LH levels in women undergoing assisted reproduction with GnRH agonist down-regulation and recombinant FSH stimulation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The effect of LH levels on stimulation day 8 on ovarian response and pregnancy outcome were evaluated in women receiving pituitary down-regulation with GnRH agonists (0.8 mg Suprefact) s.c. daily until pituitary down-regulation and 0.4 mg/day during ovarian stimulation) and ovarian stimulation with recombinant FSH.
  
  
  METHODS
  Blood samples were prospectively collected from a total of 207 normal women undergoing assisted reproduction and analysed retrospectively. Based on LH levels on stimulation day 8 patients were divided into four groups: <0.5, 0.51-1.0, 1.01-1.5, >1.51 IU/l.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Estradiol levels on day 8 and estradiol per oocyte retrieved showed a highly significant correlation with LH concentrations on day 8. The total consumption of exogenous FSH and duration of gonadotrophin stimulation was inversely related to LH levels on day 8 (P < 0.002). The frequencies of fertilization and clinical pregnancies were superior in the two middle groups. Only 12% of the patients showed LH levels <0.5 IU/l, which, however, may be explained by the particular mode and doses of GnRH agonist used.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Circulating levels of LH on day 8 have a significant impact on ovarian response and pregnancy outcome. LH should neither be too high nor too low. The mode of administration and the dose of the GnRH agonist used may determine the number of women who experience LH levels below 0.5 IU/l.
authors.affiliation: The Fertility Clinic, Skive Sygehus, DK-7800, Skive and Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Section 5712, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. peter.humaidan@vibamt.dk
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Humaidan
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bungum
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bungum
authors.forename: C Yding
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Andersen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005498:Follicular Phase; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000819:agonists*; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic
chemical_list: D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone