FOLLICULAR-FLUID INHIBIN LEVELS IN RELATION TO AGE IN PATIENTS IN AN IN-VITRO FERTILIZATION AND EMBRYO-TRANSFER PROGRAM

Inhibin (INH), oestradiol (E(2)) and progesterone (P) were measured in the follicular fluid (FF) of 22 patients 28-38 years old (Group A) an d 11 patients 43-47 years old (Group B) who had received gonadotrophin stimulation in an in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) programme. The results indicated that INH, E(2) and P levels were sig nificantly lower and the E(2)/P ratio was higher in FF of Group B pati ents (older women) compared to those of Group A. There were six single pregnancies among patients of Group A. No difference was observed in follicular fluid INH, E(2) and P levels as well as in E(2)/P ratio bet ween pregnant and non-pregnant patients of Group A (Group AI and Group A(2), respectively). A positive correlation was found between FF conc entrations of E(2) and P, E(2) and INH and P and INH in the three Grou ps and a negative one between INH and the E(2)/P ratio in Group B. It seems likely that ovarian INH and E(2) production are controlled by di fferent mechanisms and that INH response to ovarian hyperstimulation i s altered by advancing age.