Serum 17beta-estradiol. Index of follicular maturation during gonadotropin therapy
Notation, A.D.; Tagatz, G.E.; Steffes, M.W.
Obstetrics and Gynecology 51(2): 204-209
1978
ISSN/ISBN: 0029-7844 PMID: 622235 Document Number: 125638
13 patients with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism were treated with human menopausal gonadotropin (HMG) and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) to induce ovulation. Daily serum 17beta-estradiol (E2) assays were used to monitor the ovarian response to HMG. Apparent ovulation, documented by basal body temperatures, occurred in 41 of 53 HMG-HCG treatment cycles. 13 pregnancies occurred in 8 of the 13 patients. 1 twin pregnancy resulted. The hyperstimulation syndrome was absent. The data indicate that an optimal pregnancy rate with a minimum risk of hyperstimulation can be achieved when ovulation is induced 24 hours after the preovulatory serum E2 concentration has reached 500-900 pg/ml. Ovulation is induced by administering 10,000 IU and 5000 IU HCG on successive days. In addition, 2-3 injections of 2500 IU HCG at subsequent 3-4 day intervals to support the corpus luteum are given routinely.