PREDICTING OPTIMAL CERVICAL-MUCUS FOR INFERTILITY DIAGNOSIS

Objective: We studied the relationship between cervical mucus evaluati ons and daily fertility examinations in order to find monitoring techn iques that can predict optimal mucus one day before it occurs. Methods : Twenty-three healthy young female volunteers were followed during on e spontaneous cycle with serial measurements of serum estradiol, proge sterone, LH and FSH, urinary LH, and transvaginal ultrasound measureme nts of endometrial thickness and follicles. Data were related to cervi cal mucus scores. Results: All cycles were ovulatory with optimal mucu s, but in 14 optimal mucus was present for only one day. Echographic m easurement of the leading follicle (mean diameter greater than or equa l to 18 mm) could predict the day of optimal mucus in 78% and estradio l (>700 pmol/l) in 83% of the cases. These two measurements combined p redicted optimal mucus in 100% of the investigated women one day in ad vance. Conclusion: Optimal cervical mucus parameters can be predicted one day in advance by serial measurements of serum estradiol and folli cular diameters. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.