Skip to main content
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics logoLink to Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics
. 2003 Jun;20(6):210–215. doi: 10.1023/A:1024151210536

Serum Prolactin and TSH in an In Vitro Fertilization Population: Is There a Link Between Fertilization and Thyroid Function?

D W Cramer 1, P M Sluss 2, R D Powers 3, P McShane 4, E S Ginsburg 5, M D Hornstein 5, A F Vitonis 1, R L Barbieri 5
PMCID: PMC3455321  PMID: 12877251

Abstract

Purpose: Measurements of TSH and prolactin are generally included in the evaluation of female infertility, but their value in women coming to in vitro fertilization (IVF) has been questioned.

Methods: In this study, we sought to investigate whether prolactin or TSH, measured in 509 specimens collected prior to therapy, predicted outcome in a prospective study of couples undergoing IVF between 1994 and 2001.

Results: TSH was higher in women whose fertility problem was attributed to a male factor, and prolactin was lower if the measurement was taken during menses. TSH and prolactin were positively correlated (p < 0.0001). Neither TSH nor prolactin levels correlated with overall IVF outcome; however, TSH levels were significantly higher among women who produced oocytes that failed to be fertilized and this finding persisted after adjustment for several covariates, including sperm motility. Among women who had a least one oocyte inseminated, the likelihood that they would have fewer than 50% of their eggs fertilized was significantly related to higher TSH levels in a multivariate model.

Conclusion: We conclude that TSH may predict poor fertilization in IVF and reflect the importance of thyroid hormones in oocyte physiology.

Keywords: Fertilization, IVF, oocytes, prolactin, TSH

Full Text

The Full Text of this article is available as a PDF (65.2 KB).

References

  • 1.Glatstein IZ, Harlow BL, Hornstein MD. Practice patterns among reproductive endocrinologists: The infertility evaluation. Fertil Steril. 1997;67:443–451. doi: 10.1016/s0015-0282(97)80067-2. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 2.Conway DJ, Glazener CMA, Kelly N, Hull MGR. Routine measurement of thyroid hormones and FSH in infertility not worthwhile. Lancet. 1985;1:977–978. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(85)91741-6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 3.Laufer MR, Floor AE, Parsons KE, Kuntz KM, Barbieri RL, Friedman AJ. Evaluation of hormonal testing in the screening for in vitro fertilization (IVF) of women with tubal factor infertility. J Assist Reprod Genet. 1995;12:93–96. doi: 10.1007/BF02211376. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 4.Zollner U, Lanig K, Steck T, Dietl J. Assessment of endocrine status in-patients undergoing in-vitro fertilization treatment. Is it necessary? Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2001;265:16–20. doi: 10.1007/s004040000110. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 5.Inzucchi SE, Burrow GN. The thyroid gland and reproduction. In: Yen SSC, Jaffe RB, Barbieri RL, editors. Reproductive Endocrinology. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders; 1999. pp. 413–435. [Google Scholar]
  • 6.Wakim AN, Polizotto SL, Burholt DR. Influence of thyroxine on human granulosa cell steroidogenesis in vitro. J Assist Reprod Genet. 1995;12:274–277. doi: 10.1007/BF02212931. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 7.Krassas GE, Pontikides N, Kaltsas T, Papadoupoulou P, Batrinos M. Menstrual disturbance in thyrotoxicosis. Clin Endocrinol. 1994;40:641–644. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2265.1994.tb03016.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 8.Vekemans M, Delvoye P, L'Hermite M, Robyn L. Serum prolactin levels during the menstrual cycle. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1977;44:989–993. doi: 10.1210/jcem-44-5-989. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 9.Younis AI, Brackett BG. Thyroid stimulating hormone enhancement of bovine oocyte maturation in vitro. Mol Reprod Dev. 1992;31:144–151. doi: 10.1002/mrd.1080310209. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 10.Younis AI, Sehgal PK, Biggers JD. Antral follicle development and in-vitro maturation of oocytes from macaques stimulated with a single injection of pregnant mare's serum gonadotropins. Hum Reprod. 1994;9:2130–2134. doi: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.humrep.a138404. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 11.Upadhyaya N, Haider S. Germinal vesicle breakdown in oocytes of catfish, Mystus vittatus: In vitro effectiveness of mammalian pituitary hormones. Gen Comp Endocrinol. 1987;65:496–500. doi: 10.1016/0016-6480(87)90136-5. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 12.Keskintepe L, Darwish GM, Younis AI, Brackett BG. In vitro development of morulae from immature caprine oocytes. Zygote. 1994;2:97–102. doi: 10.1017/s0967199400001842. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 13.Zhang SS, Carrillo AJ, Darling DS. Expression of multiple thyroid receptor mRNAs in human oocytes, cumulus cells, and granulosa cells. Mol Hum Reprod. 1997;3:555–562. doi: 10.1093/molehr/3.7.555. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 14.Ritchie JW, Peter GJ, Shi YB, Taylor PM. Thyroid hormone transport by 4F2hc-IU12 heterodimers expressed in Xenopus oocytes. J Endocrinol. 1999;163:R5–R9. doi: 10.1677/joe.0.163r005. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 15.Friesema EC, Docter R, Krenning EP, Everts ME, Hennemen G, Visser TJ. Rapid sulfation of 3,3′,5′-triiodothyronine in native Xenopus laevis oocytes. Endocrinology. 1998;139:596–600. doi: 10.1210/endo.139.2.5743. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 16.Detlaf TA, Davydova SI. The effect of triiodothyronine on oocyte maturation in the starred sturgeon following exposure to low temperatures and female reservation. Ontogenez. 1974;5:454–462. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 17.Jiang JY, Miyoshi K, Umeza M, Sato E. Superovulation of immature hypothyroid rdw rats by thyroxine therapy and the development of eggs after in-vitro fertilization. J Reprod Fertil. 1999;116:19–24. doi: 10.1530/jrf.0.1160019. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 18.Emperaire JC, Gauzere E, Audebert A. Female fertility and donor insemination. Lancet. 1980;1:1423–1424. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(80)92697-5. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 19.Albrecht BH, Cramer DW, Schiff I. Factors influencing the success of artificial insemination. Fertil Steril. 1982;37:792–797. doi: 10.1016/s0015-0282(16)46340-5. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 20.Haddow JE, Palomaki GE, Allan WC, Williams JR, Knight GJ, Gagnon J, O'Heir CE, Mitchell ML, Hermos RJ, Waisbren SE, Faix JD, Klein RZ. Maternal thyroid deficiency during pregnancy and subsequent neuropsychological development of the child. N Engl J Med. 1999;341:549–555. doi: 10.1056/NEJM199908193410801. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics are provided here courtesy of Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

RESOURCES