Inspection of the ovaries and steroids in serum and peritoneal fluid at various time intervals after ovulation in fertile women: implications for the luteinized unruptured follicle syndrome.

In 20 fertile women one menstrual cycle was monitored by ovarian ultrasonography, laparoscopy, and estimation of 17 beta-estradiol (E2) and progesterone levels in serum and peritoneal fluid (PF). Three groups were studied, performing the laparoscopy within 1, 3, and 5 days after ovulation. The results indicate that the opening in the corpus luteum remains at least during the first 1.5 postovulatory days. The process of the closure starts thereafter and has been accomplished 4 to 5 days after ovulation. Progesterone and E2 levels in PF follow a similar pattern, showing high levels in the first, decreasing levels in the second, and low levels in the last laparoscopy groups. Therefore the significance of inspection of the ovaries and hormone level estimation in PF depend on the timing of the laparoscopy in relation to the moment of ovulation, especially in the first 5 postovulatory days.