Luteal estradiol administration strengthens the relationship between day 3 follicle-stimulating hormone and inhibin B levels and ovarian follicular status.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether the prevention of early follicular growth by luteal E(2) administration improves the relationship between day 3 hormone measurements and the ovarian follicular status.


METHODS
Prospective, cohort study.


METHODS
Assisted reproductive technology unit in Clamart, France.


METHODS
One hundred sixty-two infertile women.


METHODS
Participants received oral 17beta-E(2), 4 mg/day, from day 20 to the next cycle day 1 (n = 81) or served as controls (n = 81). Serum E(2), inhibin B, and FSH were measured during the 3 days after E(2) discontinuation (FD1, FD2, and FD3) in E(2)-treated women and on cycle day 3 (CD3) in controls. Early antral follicles were counted at ultrasound scans on FD3 and CD3.


METHODS
Hormonal-follicular correlations on FD3 and CD3.


RESULTS
As expected, after E(2) withdrawal, inhibin B and FSH increased from FD1 to FD3 whereas E(2) decreased. Correlations between FSH and inhibin B and follicular counts were stronger on FD3 than on CD3.


CONCLUSIONS
Luteal E(2) administration notably strengthens the relationship between serum FSH and inhibin B levels and the number of antral follicles on day 3. This approach may represent an alternative test of ovarian follicular status.
Fanchin
Renato
R
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Clamart, France. renato.fanchin@abc.ap-hop-paris.fr
Cunha-Filho
João Sabino
JS
Schonäuer
Luca Maria
LM
Righini
Claudia
C
de Ziegler
Dominique
D
Frydman
René
R
D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007265:Inhibins / Q000097:blood*; D008183:Luteal Phase; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000502:physiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies
C422364:inhibin B; D004958:Estradiol; D007265:Inhibins; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone