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. 1997 Nov;14(10):554-7.
doi: 10.1023/a:1022568331845.

Ovarian dysfunction in endometriosis-associated and unexplained infertility

D J Cahill  1 , P G Wardle, L A Maile, C R Harlow, M G Hull
Affiliations

Ovarian dysfunction in endometriosis-associated and unexplained infertility

D J Cahill et al. J Assist Reprod Genet. 1997 Nov.

Abstract

Purpose: The impact of endometriosis and unexplained infertility on follicular function and fertilization of oocytes in cycles totally unperturbed by exogenous gonadotrophins, when compared with controls with tubal damage, were examined.

Methods: In natural cycles, without any exogenous gonadotropins, endocrine and ultrasonographic studies of follicular maturation in 18 women with minor endometriosis (41 cycles), 15 women with unexplained infertility (31 cycles), and 34 women with tubal damage (88 cycles) were performed.

Results: The endometriosis group had a significantly longer follicular phase (median: 15, 13, and 13 days). Both endometriosis and unexplained infertility had significantly reduced LH concentrations in follicular fluid compared with tubal damage (median: 12.1, 11.5, and 15.9 IU/L, respectively). Endometriosis was associated with a significantly reduced fertilization rate compared with unexplained infertility or tubal damage (46, 65, and 69%, respectively).

Conclusions: These data show continuing evidence of ovulatory dysfunction leading to reduced fertilization rates in women with minor endometriosis.

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References

    1. Cahill DJ, Wardle PG, Maile LA, Harlow CR, Hull MGR. Pituitary-ovarian dysfunction as a cause for endometriosis-associated and unexplained infertility. Hum Reprod. 1995;10:3142–3146. - PubMed
    1. Wardle PG, Mitchell JD, McLaughlin EA, Ray BD, McDermott A, Hull MGR: Endometriosis and ovulatory disorder: Reduced fertilisation in vitro compared with tubal and unexplained infertility. Lancet. 1985;2:236–239. - PubMed
    1. Mills MS, Eddowes HA, Cahill DJ, Fahy UM, Abuzeid MIM, McDermott A, Hull MGR. A prospective controlled study of in-vitro fertilization (IVF), gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) and intrauterine insemination (IUI) combined with superovulation. Hum Reprod. 1992;7:490–494. - PubMed
    1. Hull MGR, et al. Clinical disorders affecting ovulation and oocyte quality. In: Grudzinskas JG, et al., editors. Cambridge Reviews in Human Reproduction: Gametes—The Oocyte. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; 1995. pp. 292–328.
    1. WHO Laboratory Manual for the Examination of Human Semen and Sperm-Mucus Interaction. 3rd Ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; 1992. p. 44.

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