The effect of the antiprogestin mifepristone (RU 486) on maturation and in-vitro fertilization of human oocytes
Messinis, I.E.; Templeton, A.
British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 95(6): 592-595
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0306-5456 PMID: 3390401 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1988.tb09489.xDocument Number: 359843
RU 486 (mifepristone) given to women after induction of ovulation had no demonstrable effect of fertilization or early development of human oocytes. The subjects were consenting candidates for laparoscopic sterilization. 40 women received norethisterone for 7-14 days to time onset of menses, clomiphene 150 mg/day for 5 days starting on Day 7, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) 5000 i.u. on Day 16, and RU 486 100 mg 1 hr before hCG (20 women). Laparoscopy was performed 34 hours after hCG, and all follicles 15 mm in diameter were aspirated. There was no difference in number of follicles recovered, fertilization rate of all follicles or of largest follicles, between treated and untreated groups. Similarly, embryos rated on a standard scale for morphological development criteria did not differ between Ru 486 and control groups. No differences were found in mean levels of estradiol, progesterone or androstenedione from the follicular fluid. Serum cortisol in treated women was significantly higher 11 hours after hCG (p0.001). This study shows that RU 486 given to normal women in a single dose before mid-cycle hCG did not affect in vitro fertilization of oocytes, suggesting that progesterone is not critical for maturation of human oocytes before ovulation.