Coordination of early antral follicles by luteal estradiol administration provides a basis for alternative controlled ovarian hyperstimulation regimens.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether luteal E(2) administration reduces size discrepancies of early antral follicles.


METHODS
Prospective, crossover study.


METHODS
ART unit, Clamart, France.


METHODS
Sixty women and 120 cycles.


METHODS
On cycle day 3 (baseline day 3), all women underwent measurements of early antral follicles by ultrasound and serum FSH and ovarian hormones. From day 20 until the next cycle day 2, 30 of them received oral 17beta-E(2), whereas the remaining women served as controls. The day after E(2) discontinuation (E(2) day 3) or on subsequent cycle day 3 (control day 3), participants were reevaluated as on baseline day 3.


METHODS
Magnitude of follicular size discrepancies.


RESULTS
Follicular size discrepancies and follicular diameters were significantly attenuated on E(2) day 3 (3.7 +/- 0.5 mm) as compared with baseline day 3 (4.9 +/- 1.0 mm), but not in controls (5.0 +/- 0.8 vs. 4.9 +/- 0.8 mm). FSH (4.3 +/- 1.9 vs. 7.3 +/- 3.3 mIU/mL) and inhibin B (34 +/- 28 vs. 71 +/- 32 pg/mL) levels were consistently lower on E(2) day 3 than on baseline day 3 but remained unchanged in controls.


CONCLUSIONS
Luteal E(2) administration reduces the size and improves the homogeneity of early antral follicles on day 3. This approach may be instrumental in synchronizing follicular development during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation.
Fanchin
Renato
R
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Hôpital Antoine Béclère, Clamart, France. renato.fanchin@abc.ap-hop-paris.fr
Cunha-Filho
João Sabino
JS
Schonäuer
Luca Maria
LM
Kadoch
Isaac Jacques
IJ
Cohen-Bacri
Paul
P
Frydman
René
R
D000328:Adult; D003338:Corpus Luteum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000187:drug effects; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008183:Luteal Phase / Q000187:drug effects*; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000187:drug effects; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014463:Ultrasonography
D004958:Estradiol