The impact of luteinizing hormone in assisted reproduction: a review.
OBJECTIVE
Although the key role of luteinizing hormone in ovarian function, the promotion of follicular growth and maturation, is widely acknowledged, its usefulness as a predictor of ovarian status, and as a supplement during fertility treatment, remains controversial.


RESULTS
Luteinizing hormone alone is not an effective predictor of ovarian function. In combination with follicle-stimulating hormone, as the so-called follicle-stimulating hormone: luteinizing hormone ratio, it serves as a useful marker of ovarian status. Although published data on luteinizing hormone supplementation during ovarian hyperstimulation are somewhat limited, recent well-designed studies suggest a beneficial effect of: (1) luteinizing hormone supplementation for women with inadequate responses to follicle-stimulating hormone-only stimulation; (2) in primarily young patients with low baseline luteinizing hormone levels and, consequently, insufficient remaining endogenous luteinizing hormone concentration during pituitary suppression; and (3) in older women with higher baseline luteinizing hormone levels and age-appropriate ovarian function, who require higher luteinizing hormone thresholds, even during pituitary suppression.


CONCLUSIONS
Luteinizing hormone levels, as a component of the follicle-stimulating hormone: luteinizing hormone ratio, contribute to the assessment of ovarian function, whereas the supplementation of luteinizing hormone on an individualized basis, in carefully selected patients, improves outcomes of ovarian stimulation with gonadotropins.
Weghofer
Andrea
A
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University Vienna, Austria. andrea.weghofer@meduniwien.ac.at
Schnepf
Sarah
S
Barad
David
D
Gleicher
Norbert
N
D015415:Biomarkers; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods*; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000502:physiology; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000502:physiology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology*
D015415:Biomarkers; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone