The Role of Luteinizing Hormone on Controlled Ovarian Hyperstimulation

[Objective] To evaluate the impact of serum luteinizing hormone(LH) levels during the day of human chorionic gonadotropin(HCG) administration on controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) and its outcome of In Vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer (IVF-ET). [Methods] Data of 481 cycles with tubal factor infertility of IVF-ET performed in the Reproductive Medical Center of The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University from February 2000 to March 2001, were analyzed retrospectively. Patients were divided into three groups according to serum LH levels on the day of HCG administra-tion(Group A: LH 1 IU/L, Group B: LH≥1 ~ 5 IU/L and Group C: LH≥5 IU/L). [Results] The amount of follicle stimulating hormone ( FSH) used and the number of oocytes retrieved were significantly more and the duration of stimulation was significantly longer in Group A than in the other two groups. However fertilization rates were lower. There were no significant differences in serum E2 levels on the day of HCG administration, cleavage rates, implantation rates, pregnancy rates and spontaneous abortion rates among different groups. [Conclusion] Low serum LH levels may adversely affect the outcome of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation of IVF-ET. Redution in the dosage of GnRH-a or addition of LH may be of clinical benefit when LH level is too low.