OVARIAN RESPONSE IN WORLD-HEALTH-ORGANIZATION GROUP-II ANOVULATORY WOMEN DURING CONSECUTIVE HUMAN MENOPAUSAL GONADOTROPIN CYCLES

While ovulation induction with human menopausal gonadotropins (hMG) is commonly used to treat refractory ovulatory disorders, little is know n about the characteristics of multiple consecutive treatment cycles. Since such cycles may be required to achieve pregnancy, it is importan t to ensure that the ovarian response is not compromised during consec utive cycles. We examined the ovarian response and cycle characteristi cs of 25 women with World Health Organization (WHO) group II ovulatory disorders who underwent three consecutive ovulatory hMG cycles. The t otal hMG dose and duration of treatment increased significantly betwee n the first and third consecutive hMG cycles, although the final estra diol levels remained similar. While the mean numbers of follicles grea ter-than-or-equal-to 14 mm in diameter were comparable, the size of th e largest follicle was significantly greater during the third cycle as compared to the first. These results suggest that while the ovary req uired more vigorous stimulation during subsequent cycles, the ultimate hormonal and follicular response did not appear to be compromised dur ing this series of three consecutive cycles.