[Hormone determination in the management and monitoring of cycles of medically-assisted reproductive technology: value and difficulties of use]

Abstract

In assisted reproductive technology (ART), serum levels of several key hormones are used to evaluate ovarian follicular reserve and to monitor gonadotropin-stimulated follicle growth. Currently, serum estradiol, FSH, LH and inhibin B levels are examined and combined at the beginning of the menstrual cycle to evaluate the functional status of the ovaries, providing information for appropriate ovarian stimulation treatment and prognosis for in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcome. In women undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET), ovulation stimulation is monitored by serial measurements of estradiol, progesterone and LH to monitor follicular growth, evaluate the progression of stimulation, adjust daily gonadotropin therapy for each patient, and predict the optimal day for the induction of ovulation. We analyze the importance of each hormone and discuss the discrepancies frequently reported resulting from differences in methods.