Follicular fluid hormone concentrations during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation using gonadotropin preparations with different FSH/LH ratios. I. Comparison of an FSH-dominant and a purified FSH preparation.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present randomized study was to investigate whether ovarian stimulation treatment with gonadotropin preparations containing different amounts of LH activity resulted in variations of steroidal composition of follicular fluid. A different endocrine milieu within the follicle might influence oocyte quality.

METHODS

Antral fluid from mature follicles was collected in in vitro fertilization cycles and concentrations of testosterone, androstenedione, estrone, estradiol, progesterone, FSH, and LH were determined. A comparison was made between treatment with a purified FSH preparation (nine patients, 35 follicular fluid samples) and a FSH-dominant human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) preparation (nine patients, 34 samples).

RESULTS

No differences in any of the hormone levels could be detected between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

Treatment with gonadotropin preparations containing different FSH/LH ratios did not result in different androgen, estrogen and progesterone levels in follicular fluid.