OVULATION INDUCTIONS
Relationship between midcycle luteinizing hormone surge quality and oocyte fertilization

Presented in part at a meeting of the Blair-Bell Research Society, Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom, October 30, 1996.
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Abstract

Objective: To determine whether alterations in preovulatory follicular fluid (FF) levels of LH, FSH, and steroids are associated with the probability of fertilization.

Design: Retrospective analysis of prospective study results.

Setting: Reproductive medicine clinic of a university teaching hospital.

Patient(s): Infertile women, with unstimulated, apparently regular cycles in an IVF research program.

Intervention(s): Measurement of preovulatory FF levels of LH, FSH, E2, and P and serum LH levels by fluoroimmunometry.

Main Outcome Measure: Oocyte fertilization.

Result(s): There were 84 transferable embryos (rate of normal fertilization and cleavage, 67%), and 41 oocytes (33%) failed to fertilize. Analysis of the matched FF showed that the median concentration of FF LH was significantly higher for cleaving embryos than for unfertilized oocytes (14.6 vs. 10.4 IU/L). Serum LH concentrations were similarly higher in cycles with cleaving embryos. There were no statistically significant differences in FF concentrations of FSH, E2, or P in the two groups.

Conclusion: Reduced preovulatory FF LH levels are associated with impaired fertilization of oocytes in vitro, despite normal FF FSH and steroid levels.

Keywords

FF LH
LH surge
fertilization of oocytes

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Supported by grant 9107952 from the Medical Research Council, London, United Kingdom (D.J.C. and C.R.H.).