Abstract
Purpose: The possible effects of circulating FSH levels as used during IVF treatment on oocyte maturation and subsequent preembryo development were evaluated.
Methods: Serum levels of FSH and LH on days 1 and 8 of ovarian stimulation and on the day of oocyte retrieval (OR) were correlated with subsequent preembryo development in vitro. After pituitary downregulation, 244 normogonadotropic women followed a fixed protocol for the first 7 days of stimulation.
Results: The average FSH concentration on day 8 of stimulation was 11.5 IU/L and exceeded the expected midcycle surge of FSH by more than 25%. In contrast, levels of LH were below an average of 2 IU/L throughout the stimulation period. The concentration of FSH on day 8 and on the day of OR showed a significant inverse correlation with cleavage rate, whereas levels of LH, age, and body mass index showed no such correlation.
Conclusions: Supraphysiologic levels of FSH seems to affect oocyte maturation negatively. Premature resumption of meiosis, leading to retrieval of postmature oocytes with a reduced developmental potential, is suggested as the underlying mechanism.
Keywords: ovarian stimulation, follicle stimulating hormone levels, preembryo development, in vitro fertilization, fertilization
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