Prolactin concentrations in follicular fluid following ovarian hyperstimulation for in vitro fertilization.

Prolactin (PRL) and sex steroid concentrations were measured in follicular fluids of women treated either with (1) clomiphene/hCG or with (2) clomiphene + hMG/hCG. Method 1 of ovarian stimulation resulted in lower follicular PRL and higher oestradiol-17 beta (E2) and progesterone (P) concentrations than method 2. There was no difference in the PRL and sex steroid concentrations of follicles with fertilized and of those yielding unfertilized ova, but in both stimulation types, follicles from which no oocytes were obtained had high PRL and low E2 and P levels. Significant positive correlations were evident for PRL and T and E2 and P, respectively, while PRL and P were negatively correlated.