Human Reproduction, Vol. 6, No. 7, pp. 934-938, 1991
© 1991 European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology
other |
Biochemical monitoring during hormone replacement therapy cycles for transfer of cryopreserved embryos in patients with functional ovaries
Department of Human Reproduction and Obstetrics, University of Southampton, Princess Anne and BUPA Chalybeate Hospitals Southampton SO9 4HA. UK
Correspondence: 1To whom correspondence should be addressed
Biochemical monitoring was undertaken in 22 treatment cycles for women with normal ovarian function who under went pituitary suppression with buserelin and administration of exogenous oestradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) for cryopreserved embryo transfer (ET). Eighteen transfers of 1–4 thawed embryos, on the third day of exposure to progesterone, resulted in five clinical pregnancies (27.8%) and one biochemical pregnancy. There was no difference between pregnant and non-pregnant patients in the number and quality of embryos transferred, age, weight or infertility diagnosis. Serum E2 level from days 10–17 (the late proliferative phase) of the therapy cycle were significantly higher in the pregnant group compared with the non-pregnant group (P < 0.05-P < 0.005). There were no significant differences in P levels between the two groups from the onset of progesterone administration to the end of the cycle. However, as might be expected, the mean E2/P molar ratio in the pregnant group was significantly higher at the time of ET (P < 0.02). It is conduded that biochemical monitoring during the embryo replacement cycle is necessary to tailor drug dosages for individual requirements to achieve adequate E levels before ET. Alternative routes of oestradiol administration need to be considered in patients with poor E2 profiles.
Key words: embryo transfer/hormone replacement therapy/oestradiol/oestrone/progesterone