Serum androgen levels in patients undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for in vitro fertilization cycles.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate androgen behavior during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) for in vitro fertilization (IVF).


METHODS
A prospective, observational study.


METHODS
An IVF unit of an academic medical center.


METHODS
Blood was drawn three times during the COH cycle from 17 consecutive patients undergoing the long gonadotropin-releasing hormone-analog protocol: the day on which adequate suppression was obtained (Day-S); the day of or prior to administration of human chorionic gonadotropin (Day-hCG); and (3) the day of ovum pick-up (Day-OPU).


RESULTS
There was a significant increase in serum sex steroid levels during gonadotropin treatment. After hCG administration, there was a significant increase in levels of serum 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) and ovarian androgens (total and free testosterone and androstenedione), with no significant change in adrenal androgen (dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate). Significant correlations were observed between plasma estradiol (E(2)) and androgen levels during COH and until hCG administration, but not after hCG administration. The E(2)/testosterone ratio increased significantly during COH and until hCG administration, and then decreased significantly. The number of oocytes retrieved correlated significantly with serum 17-OHP, E(2) and E(2)/testosterone ratio. The number of gonadotropin ampoules used correlated inversely only with serum E(2) levels.


CONCLUSIONS
In patients undergoing COH for IVF, androgen levels increase in response to gonadotropin, and then again after hCG administration. Although the E(2)/testosterone ratio correlates with the number of oocytes retrieved, androgen levels do not.
Orvieto
Raoul
R
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tiqva, Israel. raoulo@barzi.health.gov.il
Yulzari-Roll
Vered
V
La Marca
Antonio
A
Ashkenazi
Jacob
J
Fisch
Benjamin
B
D019326:17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D000728:Androgens / Q000097:blood*; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000097:blood; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate / Q000097:blood; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods*; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D006801:Humans; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D000728:Androgens; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D013739:Testosterone; D000735:Androstenedione; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate; D019326:17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone