The use of vaginal tablets as a vehicle for steroid replacement in a donor oocyte program.

Nine women enrolled in the donor egg program received in a preparatory cycle 6 mg of E2 by vaginal tablets two times per day for the first 14 days, followed by a combined preparation of 6 mg of E2 and 50 mg of P as vaginal tablets, two times per day for another 14 days. Adequate serum levels of E2 and P and favorable sonographic endometrial thickness were achieved throughout the cycle in all patients. Eight endometrial biopsies taken on days 25 to 26 were independently assessed as being representative of day 25 +/- 2. One endometrial biopsy was out of phase. It is concluded that vaginal tablets of E2, followed by a combined preparation of vaginal tablets of E2 and P, is an effective method for establishing an appropriately developed endometrium in a donor oocyte program. Endometrial preparation in donor oocyte programs can be simplified by the use of these tablets.