Ovum retention in the human

Abstract

Two cases of ovum retention occurring in postovulatory follicles are described. The ova were recovered at laparoscopy by aspiration of decompressed ovulatory follicles, one during a natural cycle and the other following a programmed clomiphene/human chorionic gonadotropin cycle. Each patient had a normal luteal phase with an increased progesterone level indicative of ovulation. The implications of these findings and their relevance to human fertility studies are discussed.