Detection of chorionic gonadotrophin like activity in infertile cycles with a short luteal phase
Seppälä, M.; Lehtovirta, P.; Rutanen, E.M.
Acta Endocrinologica 88(1): 164-168
1978
ISSN/ISBN: 0001-5598 PMID: 580531 Document Number: 125113
Three of 24 infertile women with a short luteal phase transiently showed chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) like immunoreactivity in serum as measured by the HCG-.beta. subunit radioimmunoassay. The plasma progesterone concentration was elevated above the lower normal postovulatory level in 2 of these women who also had elevated basal body temperature at the time HCG was detected. Positive HCG reaction coincided with the pre-ovulatory surge of luteinizing hormone (LH) in 1 patient, but in 2 other cases the LH concentration was low suggesting absence of LH interference. The results suggest that some infertile women may conceive during their cycles with a short luteal phase and maintain pregnancy until HCG becomes detectable.