BASAL SERUM FOLLICLE-STIMULATING-HORMONE (FSH) AND ESTRADIOL LEVELS AS PREDICTORS OF PREGNANCY IN UNSTIMULATED DONOR INSEMINATION CYCLES

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of basa l serum follicle stimulating hormone and estradiol levels in predictin g pregnancy in women undergoing artificial insemination with donor spe rm for severe male factor infertility. Method: A retrospective chart r eview of 48 women who had at least 2 cycles of artificial insemination with donor sperm and who had undergone testing for basal serum follic le stimulating hormone and estradiol levels prior to or during therapy . Results: There was no difference in age or mean basal serum follicle stimulating hormone between women who conceived (clinical pregnancy) and those who did not. Women who conceived had significantly lower mea n serum basal estradiol levels (P = 0.02) and significantly fewer numb ers of tr eatment cycles (P = 0.041). The highest pregnancy rate was a mong those women with normal basal serum follicle stimulating hormone and estradiol levels. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed basal serum estradiol to be a more reliable predictor of pre gnancy than follicle stimulating hormone. Conclusions: Basal serum fol licle stimulating hormone and estradiol levels may be useful in predic ting success with artificial insemination with donor sperm. It may be useful to obtain basal serum follicle stimulating hormone and estradio l prior to initiating artificial insemination with donor sperm.