Serum progesterone levels in women treated with human menopausal gonadotropin and human chorionic gonadotropin for in vitro fertilization

Role of gene polymorphisms related to progesterone elevation in women undergoing long GnRH agonist protocols

RESEARCH QUESTION

Can single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of genes related to progesterone synthesis predict the risk of premature serum progesterone elevation in women undergoing gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist protocols for ovarian stimulation?

DESIGN

A total of 765 women were divided into high progesterone and normal progesterone groups according to progesterone concentration on the day of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) administration, with the 75th percentile as the threshold between the group. Associations were analysed of genetic information from whole exome sequencing and the clinical characteristics of the two groups to identify the relationship between SNP, haplotypes and serum progesterone elevation.

RESULTS

Among 40 common SNP of eight genes (FSHR, LHCGR, ESR1, ESR2, PGR, HSD3B1, CYP11A1 and CYP17A1), no statistical significance between the high and normal progesterone groups was identified in the distribution of genotypes and allele frequencies after multiple test correction to adjust the false discovery rate (P_FDR > 0.05). When compared with the most common haplotypes of each gene, haplotype GAAG in CYP17A1 was associated with a 1.44-fold increased risk of progesterone elevation (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.22-1.69, P_FDR < 0.001), while haplotypes of the following genes showed a decreased risk of progesterone elevation: haplotype CC in FSHR and LHCGR (0.66-fold, P_FDR = 0.020, and 0.64-fold, P_FDR < 0.001, respectively), CA in ESR1 (0.90-fold, P_FDR < 0.001), TCTGG in ESR2 (0.92-fold, P_FDR = 0.007) and GAACC in HSD3B1 (0.42-fold, P_FDR < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Polymorphism in genes involved in enzymes or hormone receptors in the progesterone synthesis pathway may have a role in modifying risk of serum progesterone elevation.

Cerebral blood flow is increased during controlled ovarian stimulation

Estrogen appears to enhance cerebral blood flow (CBF). An association between CBF and physiologically altered hormonal levels due to menstrual cycle, menopause, or exogenous manipulations such as ovariectomy or hormone replacement therapy has been demonstrated. The purpose of this study was to determine the association between ovarian stimulation and CBF in vivo by measuring blood flow in the internal carotid artery (ICA) after pituitary suppression and during controlled ovarian stimulation in women undergoing in vitro fertilization treatment cycles. ICA volume flows were measured by angle-independent dual-beam ultrasound Doppler in 12 women undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation. Measurements were performed after pituitary/ovarian suppression, in the late follicular phase, and at midluteal phase. Blood flow in the ICA increased by 22.2% and 32% in the late follicular and midluteal phases compared with the respective values obtained during ovarian suppression (P < 0.0005 and P < 0.0001, respectively). There was a significant correlation between increments in estrogen levels and increments in CBF when the late follicular phase was compared with the ovarian suppression period (r = 0.8, P < 0.001). Mean blood flow velocity significantly increased (by 15.7% and 16.9%, respectively) and cerebral vascular resistance significantly decreased (by 17.6% and 26.5%) during the late follicular and midluteal phases compared with respective measures during ovarian suppression. There was a significant correlation between an increase in estrogen levels and a decrease in cerebral vascular resistance when the late follicular phase was compared with the ovarian suppression period (r = -0.6, P < 0.05). These changes imply sex hormone-associated intracranial vasodilation leading to increased CBF during controlled ovarian stimulation.

Progesterone supplementation to prevent recurrent miscarriage and to reduce implantation failure in assisted reproduction cycles

Implantation failure has been questioned for many cases of recurrent miscarriage and unsuccessful assisted reproduction. The exact cause of implantation failure is not known, but luteal phase defect is encountered in many of these cases. Consequently, women with recurrent miscarriages have been treated with progesterone supplementation with various degrees of success, and a recent meta-analysis has shown trends for improved live birth rates in those women. Progesterone probably acts as an immunological suppressant blocking T-helper (Th)1 activity and inducing release of Th2 cytokines. Numerous studies have confirmed that ovarian stimulation used in assisted reproduction is associated with luteal phase insufficiency, even when gonadotrophin-releasing hormone antagonists are used. In those patients, advanced endometrial histological maturity and a decrease in the concentration of cytoplasmic progesterone receptors are observed. Progesterone supplementation results in a trend towards improved ongoing and clinical pregnancy rates, except in patients treated with human menopausal gonadotrophin-only regimens, in whom ongoing pregnancy rates increase significantly. More randomized controlled trials are needed to increase the power of the currently available meta-analyses to further evaluate progesterone supplementation in both conditions.

A comparative, randomized study of three different progesterone support of the luteal phase following IVF/ET program

The use of luteal phase support has been demonstrated in patients undergoing IVF/ET in cycles stimulated after pituitary desensitization with gonadotrophin releasing hormone agonists. However, it is still not clear which is the most suitable kind of supplementation. This study was designed to compare the absorption and the efficacy of three different luteal support. We randomly administered progesterone i.m. (50 mg/day), human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) (2000 IU every three days), progesterone vaginal cream (100 mg/day) or nothing (controls) to 176 women treated for assisted procreation. We were not able to show any statistical differences for the percentage of pregnancy rate between groups. The serum progesterone (P) and 17-beta-estradiol (E2) and E2/P ratio levels of the luteal phase were compared with the control not supplemented group. All the treatments were able to increase significantly the luteal P values versus controls (p < 0.01). Moreover, vaginal cream and natural P im significantly decreased E2/P ratio (p < 0.05). Serum P levels were more steady with P vaginal cream than im injection. Vaginal cream for better bioavailability and acceptance appear the most suitable and comfortable method for luteal phase support.

Endometrial morphology and hormonal profiles in in vitro fertilization patients

Endometrial biopsy was performed in 27 infertile women participating in the IVF program. Their mean age was 31.8 years, 33% of the women being over 35 years old. The average duration of infertility was 6.9 years. The superovulation protocol consisted of hMG/hCG in 5 cases, of combined GnRH analog/gonadotropin therapy in 20 women, and 2 patients received combined contraceptive pill/gonadotropin treatment. Judging by hormonal profiles, follicular growth rate and number of oocytes retrieved, the response to stimulation was normal. The mean estradiol (E2) levels increased from 132.7 pg/ml on day -5 (SEM = 9.67) to 1272 pg/ml (SEM = 103.7) on the day of hCG administration and to 1813 pg/ml (SEM = 209.6) 1 day later. One day before the hCG application, the mean progesterone and LH levels were 1.34 ng/ml and 8.38 IU/ml, respectively. Only one patient had clinical hyperstimulation syndrome. Ova were harvested in all women, the mean number of oocytes being 7.7 (SEM = 0.83) per patient. In all 27 cases lack of fertilization or faulty ovum cleavage were observed. Thus, an endometrial biopsy (EB) was performed 72 h after oocytes retrieval. The mean estrogen and progesterone levels on the EB day were 610.9 pg/ml (SEM = 78.44) and 45.4 ng/ml (SEM = 7.53), respectively. Histologic examination of the endometrium showed normal secretory endometrium consistent with day 16-17 of spontaneous ovulatory cycle. Two women who received combined contraceptive pills/gonadotropin therapy showed inactive endometrium with subnuclear vacuoles and decidual reaction in the stroma similar to that observed in women on estrogen-progestin birth control medication.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The luteal phase after oocyte recovery in a spontaneous cycle

There is disagreement as to whether follicular aspiration and oocyte recovery leads to a defective luteal phase. A group of 20 women with mild endometriosis was studied over two consecutive spontaneous cycles. Follicular aspiration and oocyte recovery was performed 32 hours after the onset of the endogenous luteinizing hormone surge during the second cycle. There was little disturbance of the luteal phase or in the pituitary gonadal relationship in the aspirated cycle. Although a significantly lower serum progesterone was noted on day 8 of post-oocyte recovery, all results were within the normal range seen in the control cycles.

The luteal phase in polycystic ovary syndrome during ovulation induction with human menopausal gonadotropin with and without leuprolide acetate

Little data exist on the effects of adjunctive therapy with leuprolide acetate (LA) in the luteal phase of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) undergoing ovulation induction with human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG). Additionally, it is not known whether gonadal steroid concentrations in the luteal phase of induced cycles in PCOS are predictive of pregnancy. In this prospective, randomized study comparing cycles using hMG alone (n = 26) with cycles using hMG with LA (n = 33), no differences were noted between treatment groups in progesterone (P), estradiol (E2), and P:E2 ratios on luteal days 3, 6, and 9. When all treatment cycles were pooled, there were no differences in P, E2, or P:E2 ratios, comparing conception and nonconception cycles. We conclude that adjunctive therapy with LA in PCOS patients undergoing ovulation induction with hMG does not alter the luteal phase concentrations of P, E2, and P:E2. Furthermore, no correlation was found between the serum concentrations of these luteal phase steroids and cycle fecundity.

Immediate versus delayed progesterone supplementation in gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT)

Exogenous progesterone (P) was supplemented to gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) patients to determine the optimal timing to start P supplementation and the role of isthmic block in GIFT. Patients were alternatively divided into two groups. In the immediate group, exogenous P was supplied from the day of surgery. In the delayed group, P was supplied 4 days after the surgery, the day the fertilized ovum is supposed to arrive in the uterine cavity. Except for higher serum P levels on luteal day 3 in the immediate group, no significant differences were found in serum P levels during the early luteal phase, the pregnancy rate, and the abortion rate between the two groups. It is possible that in stimulated cycles, higher serum P levels during the early luteal phase render the endometrium receptive for embryo implantation, albeit unlock the isthmic block. It may not be crucial to start exogenous P supplementation either before or after a fertilized egg(s) arrives in the uterine cavity. The role of isthmic block in GIFT needs further evaluation.

Trial of support treatment with human chorionic gonadotrophin in the luteal phase after treatment with buserelin and human menopausal gonadotrophin in women taking part in an in vitro fertilisation programme

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of support with human chorionic gonadotrophin in the luteal phase in women taking part in an in vitro fertilisation programme after buserelin and human menopausal gonadotrophin were used to hyperstimulate their ovaries.

DESIGN

Controlled group comparison.

SETTING

Outpatient department of a private hospital.

PATIENTS

115 Women with indications for in vitro fertilisation, all of whom had at least one embryo transferred.

INTERVENTIONS

After suppression of the pituitary with buserelin the ovaries of all the women were stimulated with human menopausal gonadotrophin on day 4 of the luteal phase. Human chorionic gonadotrophin (10,000 IU) was given to induce ovulation, and oocytes were recovered 34 hours later. Embryos were transferred 46 to 48 hours after insemination. Women who had received the 10,000 IU of human chorionic gonadotrophin on a date that was an uneven number (n = 61) were allocated to receive support doses of 2500 IU human chorionic gonadotrophin three and six days after that date. The remaining 54 women did not receive hormonal support.

END POINT

Determination of the rates of pregnancy. MEASUREMENTS and main results--Support with human chorionic gonadotrophin did not significantly alter the progesterone or oestradiol concentrations in the early or mid-luteal phase. The mean (range) progesterone concentrations in the late luteal phase in women who did not become pregnant were, however, significantly higher in those who received support (16(9-110) nmol/l nu 8(4-46) nmol/l), and the luteal phase was significantly longer in this group (14 days nu 12 days). The rate of pregnancy was significantly higher in the women who received support than in those who did not (25/61 nu 8/54).

CONCLUSIONS

When buserelin and human menopausal gonadotrophin are used to hyperstimulate ovaries support with human chorionic gonadotrophin in the luteal phase has a beneficial effect on in vitro fertilisation.

Luteal-phase support in stimulated cycles in an in vitro fertilization/embryo transfer program: progesterone versus human chorionic gonadotropin

A study was undertaken to compare the hormonal parameters [serum concentrations of estradiol (E2), and progesterone (P) and P/E2 ratios] of patients undergoing in vitro fertilization/embryo transfer to whom either progesterone in oil or human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) was administered as luteal support. Seventeen patients were studied in 20 cycles. In 10 randomly assigned cycles 25 mg of intramuscular progesterone in oil was administered daily from the day of embryo transfer (day +4) until day +18. In the other 10 cycles, 1500 IU of hCG was given intramuscularly on days +4, +7, +10, and +13. Even when accounting for the differences in recruitment in the two groups, the hCG-treated group had significantly higher concentrations of serum P (P less than 0.01) and E2 (P less than 0.05) during the luteal phase. The luteal P/E2 ratios were higher in the progesterone-treated group because of the lower E2 levels in that group, although the difference was not statistically significant. The ratio of the mean luteal P to the preovulatory serum E2 was significantly higher in the hCG-treated group (P less than 0.01). There were three clinical pregnancies in the hCG-treated group. We conclude that (1) higher P concentrations are achieved with hCG treatment than with progesterone treatment during the luteal phase; (2) high luteal P/E2 ratios per se may not be an important determinant of implantation; (3) progesterone production by the corpus luteum is not maximal in progesterone-treated cycles; and (4) the usefulness of hCG as a luteal support agent should be further evaluated.