The effect of female hormone manipulation on nasal physiology.

BACKGROUND

This study was performed to establish whether the ovarian hormone beta-estradiol has any influence on nasal physiology when manipulated during in vitro fertilization treatment.

METHODS

Women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment at the Assisted Conception Unit, Leicester Royal Infirmary, were recruited. Nasal peak inspiratory flow rate, acoustic rhinometry, anterior rhinomanometry, mucociliary clearance, olfactory thresholds, quality of life, and serum 17-beta-estradiol levels were measured at each visit. Subjects were studied at the beginning of their IVF treatment and then at one or two additional occasions while they received synthetic follicule-stimulating hormone with a final set of results taken at the end of their treatment.

RESULTS

Results were analyzed using paired t-tests. There was no statistical difference between any of the data sets for any of the variables during the process of IVF treatment.

CONCLUSION

Increasing levels of beta-estradiol that occur in IVF treatment cause no significant effect on nasal physiology in contrast to the effects seen during pregnancy.