UTILITY OF FOLLICLE-STIMULATING-HORMONE (FSH), LUTEINIZING-HORMONE (LH), ESTRADIOL AND FSH LH RATIO IN PREDICTING REPRODUCTIVE AGE IN NORMAL WOMEN/

The relative efficacy of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizi ng hormone (LH), FSH:LH ratio and oestradiol is evaluated as a predict or of ovarian reserve (reproductive age) in normal women, Serum levels of FSH, LH, oestradiol and FSH:LH ratios were measured during menstru al cycle days 1-4 in younger (20-25 years; n = 23) and older (40-45 ye ars; n = 32) reproductive age women with regular menstruation and norm al reproductive function, On days 1-4, mean levels of FSH, oestradiol and FSH:LH ratios were significantly higher in older compared with you nger women, FSH increased in concentration across cycle days in both a ge groups, A significantly lower LH value in younger versus older wome n was found only on day 1, Oestradiol showed no change across days in the younger group, but increased significantly from day 1 to day 4 in the older group, FSH values on days 1 or 2 were the best single predic tor of age differences, However, the best prediction of age difference s was obtained by using the combination of FSH and LH (as opposed to t he FSH:LH ratio) on day 1 of the menstrual cycle.