Induction of timed ovulation with synthetic luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone in women undergoing insemination therapy. I. Effect of a single parenteral administration at midcycle.

Synthetic LH-RH was administered by various routes to 19 patients during 37 treatment cycles in an attempt to trigger ovulation in association with insemination therapy. Thirty-five cycles were ovulatory; four pregnancies occurred, but two of them ended in spontaneous abortion. In 20 cycles, the hyperthermia response occurred one to three days after LH-RH administration, suggesting that ovulation occurred as a direct consequence of administered LH-RH. Low levels and delayed peak secretion of progesterone were found in two patients who had serial progesterone determinations during the luteal phase after LH-RH administration. Ovulation timing with LH-RH appears feasible, but efforts to ensure the availability of a mature follicle are required.