CORRELATIONS BETWEEN PERIOVULATORY SERUM AND FOLLICULAR-FLUID CA-125 AND GRANULOSA-CELL HORMONES AFTER CONTROLLED OVARIAN HYPERSTIMULATION

Objective: To determine the presence and concentration of CA-125 in pe riovulatory follicular fluid (FF) and serum after controlled ovarian h yperstimulation and to determine if the CA-125 in these two compartmen ts could be related to granulosa cell markers such as inhibin or estra diol. Study Design: Fifteen women undergoing controlled ovarian hypers timulation for in-vitro fertilization-embryo transfer were studied. A transvaginal, ultrasound-guided follicular aspiration was performed. C A-125, inhibin, estradiol and FSH were measured in FF and serum. Pears on and Spearman's Rank Correlation tests were performed. Results: CA-1 25 was measurable in 59% of follicles. Values ranged from undetectable to 3630 U/ml. Serum CA-125 ranged from undetectable to 126 U/ml. CA-1 25 and inhibin correlated negatively in FF and positively in serum. Co nclusion: CA-125 was present in significant but variable concentration s in 59% of periovulatory follicles. A negative correlation was noted between CA-125 and inhibin or estradiol in the FF and a positive corre lation with serum inhibin. No correlations were noted to oocyte retrie val or fertilization.