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Human Reproduction, Vol. 8, No. 12, pp. 2027-2032, 1993
© 1993 European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology

review-article

Endocrinology: Luteal function following ovulation induction in polycystic ovary syndrome patients using exogenous gonadotrophins in combination with a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist

P.F.J. Donderwinkel, D.C. Schoot, T.D. Pache, F.H. de Jong1, W.C.J. Hop2 and B.C.J.M. Fauser3

1Department of Medicine III Dr Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands 2Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Dijkzigt University Hospital and Erasmus University Dr Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Correspondence: 3To whom correspondence should be addressed at: Section of Reproductive Endocrinology and Fertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Dijkzigt University Hospital, Dr Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands

The luteal phase was studied in 12 polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients following ovulation induction using exogenous gonadotrophins combined with a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a). Human menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG) was preceded by 3 weeks of treatment with GnRH-a (buserelin; 1200 µg/day intra-nasally) and administered in a step-down dose regimen starting with 225 IU/day i.m. GnRH-a was withheld the day before administration of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG; 10 000 IU i.m.). Blood sampling and ultrasound monitoring was performed every 2–3 days until menses. The luteal phase was significantly shorter in PCOS patients as compared to eight regularly cycling controls: 8.8 (3.3–11.4) days [median(range)] versus 12.8 (8.9–15.9) days (P = 0.01). Median peak values for progesterone did not show significant differences comparing both groups: 52.3 (17.1–510.3) nmol/l versus 43.0 (31.2–71.1) nmol/l, respectively (P = 0.8). The interval between the day of the progesterone peak and return to baseline was significantly shorter in the PCOS patients than in controls: 2.5 (0.3–4.9) days versus 4.2 (3.9–10.5) days (P < 0.005). Luteinizing hormone (LH) concentrations during the luteal phase as reflected by area under the curve were significantly lower in PCOS as compared to controls: 4.4 (1.6–21.0) IU/l x days and 49.0 (27.8–79.6) IU/l x days, respectively (P < 0.001). In conclusion, patients with PCOS may suffer from insufficient luteal phases after ovulation induction using HMG/HCG in combination with a GnRH-a. The corpus luteum apparently lacks the support of endogenous LH and may be stimulated only by the pre-ovulatory injection of HCG. Potential involvement of adjuvant GnRH-a medication or HCG itself in luteal suppression of endogenous gonadotrophin secretion, and the importance of luteal function for pregnancy rates following treatment, warrant further studies.

Key words: exogenous gonadotrophins/GnRH-a/luteal function/ovulation induction/polycystic ovary syndrome


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