The serum concentration of estradiol after embryo transfer and the decline from preovulatory levels may influence the success of IVF treatment.
OBJECTIVE
To establish the influence that serum estradiol concentrations prior to oocyte retrieval and 3 days after embryo transfer have on the establishment of in vitro fertilization (IVF) pregnancy.


METHODS
Preovulatory (day-0) and luteal-phase (day-6) estradiol concentrations were retrospectively analyzed in 310 infertile patients, undertaking 1st-cycle conventional IVF or intracytoplasmic sperm injection.


RESULTS
The IVF treatment success is significantly reduced in patients with an estradiol level <600 pg/ml and also when a rapid decline in luteal-phase estradiol concentrations from preovulatory concentrations (day 0:day 6 ratio) was exhibited.


CONCLUSIONS
A day 0:day 6 estradiol ratio >5 and a serum estradiol concentration <600 pg/ml may adversely impact on the establishment of pregnancy in IVF.
Vanderlelie
J
J
School of Health Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Bundall, Australia.
Bell
K
K
Perkins
A V
AV
D000328:Adult; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006728:Hormones / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008183:Luteal Phase / Q000502:physiology; D017274:Nafarelin / Q000494:pharmacology; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017211:Treatment Failure
D006728:Hormones; D017274:Nafarelin; D004958:Estradiol