THE SIGNIFICANCE OF ELEVATED PROGESTERONE AT THE TIME OF ADMINISTRATION OF HUMAN CHORIONIC-GONADOTROPIN MAY BE RELATED TO LUTEAL SUPPORT

Purpose: Our purpose was to determine if the progesterone concentratio n on the day of HCG administration is associated with the establishmen t of pregnancy in NF patients. Methods: Concentrations of progesterone on the day of hCG were examined retrospectively in 293 patients with ovarian hyperstimulation induced by GnRH agonist with hMG and/or FSH. Patients were grouped based on progesterone concentration: <0.9, 0.9 t o <1.2, 1.2 to <1.5, and greater than or equal to 1.5 ng/ml. Oocytes r ecovered fertilization rate, and pregnancy rare were compared among gr oups. Results: Patients with a higher concentration of progesterone ha d increased concentrations of estradiol and greater numbers of oocytes retrieved No differences were found for fertilization rare, polyploid fertilization, or pregnancy rate. lt was noted that there was an asso ciation between the type of luteal support and the effect of high preo vulatory progesterone on pregnancy rate. Conclusions: These data sugge st that oocytes and embryos derived from patients with high preovulato ry progesterone are not of a reduced quality. The association of high progesterone concentrations with a reduced rate of pregnancy varied wi th the type of luteal support.