Follicle growth and endocrine dynamics in women with spontaneous luteinized unruptured follicles versus ovulation

AbstractSTUDY QUESTIONDo growth patterns and endocrine profiles differ between ovulatory follicles (OvFs) and luteinized unruptured follicles (LUFs) in women?SUMMARY ANSWERGrowth rates, diameters and associated endocrine profiles differed between OvFs and LUFs in unstimulated cycles.WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADYTwo-three waves of antral follicles develop during the menstrual cycle in ovulatory women of reproductive age, with the second or third wave terminating in ovulation. In contrast, some women can develop LUFs, where a preovulatory follicle fails to rupture and there is subsequent luteinization of the follicle wall. However, no study has compared OvFs and LUFs in unstimulated cycles.STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATIONThis retrospective observational study was conducted in 56 healthy women of reproductive age (range: 19 –41 years) and with a history of regular menstrual cycles.PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODSParticipants who met inclusion criteria were enrolled, as previously reported. Daily transvaginal ultrasonography was performed for one interovulatory interval (IOI) to measure the diameters of all follicles>2 mm. Blood samples were collected every 3 days during the IOI to measure serum concentrations of FSH, LH, estradiol and progesterone.MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCEThe interval from emergence to deviation (i.e. follicle selection) was shorter (P< 0.05) for LUFs compared to OvFs. However, the intervals from emergence to maximum diameter and deviation to maxim...
Source: Human Reproduction - Category: Reproduction Medicine Source Type: research