GROWTH-HORMONE, ESTRADIOL, PROGESTERONE AND TESTOSTERONE CONCENTRATIONS IN FOLLICULAR-FLUID AFTER OVARIAN STIMULATION WITH VARIOUS REGIMES FOR ASSISTED REPRODUCTION

Follicular fluid samples and oocytes were obtained from 75 women (87 c ycles), who participated in an assisted conception programme. Determin ations of the concentration of oestradiol, progesterone, testosterone and growth hormone were performed in all follicular fluid samples. Pat ients were stimulated with the following regimes: group A (24 cycles, 94 samples), human menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG) (three ampoules/day) and human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG); group B (23 cycles, 53 sampl es), HMG/HCG with prednisolone (7.5 mg/day) after cycle programming wi th oral contraceptives; group C (40 cycles, 60 samples), buserelin wit h HMG/HCG. Oestradiol concentrations (mean +/- SEM) were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in group A (320.1 +/- 27.3 ng/ml) and those of grow th hormone in both groups A and C (3.8 +/- 0.2 and 3.2 +/- 0.15 ng/ml, respectively), as compared to the other groups, whereas progesterone and testosterone concentrations were similar in all groups. The mean c oncentrations of oestradiol, progesterone, testosterone and growth hor mone were significantly higher (P < 0.01) in follicular fluid with ooc ytes of intermediate maturity than with mature oocytes (382.5 ng/ml, 7 847.5 ng/ml, 1704.5 ng/dl and 3.7 ng/ml versus 217.8 ng/ml, 5488.4 ng/ ml, 1313.6 ng/dl and 2.7 ng/ml, respectively). On the other hand, only oestradiol concentrations were significantly higher in follicular flu id of fertilized compared to non-fertilized oocytes. Concentrations of the other hormones analysed, except growth hormone, were similar in f ollicular fluid from pregnant and non-pregnant women after assisted re production. Growth hormone, on the other hand, was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in follicular fluid from pregnant compared to non-pregnant women (2.8 versus 3.5 ng/ml). It is concluded that intermediate matur ity oocytes and oocytes which will be subsequently fertilized are foun d in follicles with higher follicular fluid concentrations of growth h ormone and steroids. Moreover, oocytes leading to pregnancy after in-v itro fertilization and embryo transfer are derived from follicles with lower growth hormone concentrations in follicular fluid.