FOLLICULAR-FLUID HORMONE CONCENTRATIONS AFTER OVARIAN STIMULATION USING GONADOTROPIN PREPARATIONS WITH DIFFERENT FSH LH RATIOS .1. COMPARISON OF AN FSH-DOMINANT AND A PURIFIED FSH PREPARATION/

Objective-A small amount of LH is necessary for 17 beta-estradiol prod uction in the ovarian follicle. Human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) co ntains equal amounts of FSH and LH activity, whereas recombinant FSH i s a gonadotropin preparation without LH. The aim of the present random ized study was to investigate whether ovarian stimulation treatment wi th recombinant FSH or hMG resulted in different steroidal composition of follicular fluid. Methods-Antral fluid from mature follicles was co llected in in vitro fertilization cycles and concentrations of testost erone, androstenedione, estrone, estradiol, progesterone, FSH, and LH were determined. Seven patients (27 samples) were treated with hMG, 6 patients (22 samples) with recombinant FSH. Results-Androgen, estrogen , progesterone, and FSH concentrations in follicular fluid tended to b e lower in the group treated with recombinant FSH, but the variation w as large and differences were statistically not significant. Conclusio n-Treatment with a gonadotropin preparation containing no LH resulted in adequate androgen and estrogen levels in antral fluid of the ovaria n follicle in women with normal endocrine profiles, even during pituit ary suppression by a GnRH agonist. Apparently, the amount of endogenou s LH was sufficient for steroid production within the follicle.