Circulating CA-125 levels in superovulated women are mainly derived from the ovaries.

A prospective study was designed to determine the individual contribution of the ovaries and the endometrium to total circulating levels of CA-125. Luteal phase CA-125 levels were measured in five women superovulated before and after vaginal hysterectomy performed for pelvic relaxation. The difference in the preoperative and postoperative luteal CA-125 levels of superovulated cycles were similar, suggesting a mainly ovarian source for the antigen although endometrial and other sites of contribution cannot be excluded in view of the small number of patients studied.