Hormonal response to electrocautery of the ovary in patients with polycystic ovarian disease.

Fifty-eight women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCO) were treated with electrocautery of the ovarian capsule and then studied by hormone analysis for 12 months. In 72% ovulation appeared to occur within 4 weeks and in this group mean serum LH and FSH levels showed a statistically significant increase the day after electrocautery, followed by a gradual decline in LH to a level significantly below the pretreatment value. No changes in LH and FSH were seen in those who did not ovulate. The mean levels of testosterone, androstenedione and dihydrotestosterone which were in the upper normal range or slightly above before treatment were significantly reduced after electrocautery. Serum oestradiol levels showed a significant increase after 1 week, when progesterone levels were still unchanged, suggesting that follicular development was already in progress. The mean serum level of sex hormone binding globulin was slightly below the normal range before treatment and then increased gradually. Endocrine responses to electrocautery were similar to those described previously after wedge resection. The simplicity of this treatment and the good response make it an attractive alternative for treating infertility associated with PCO.