Induction of ovulation with human urinary follicle-stimulating hormone: endocrine pattern and ultrasound monitoring.

Nine infertile patients, suffering from polycystic ovaries, were treated with human urinary FSH and hCG (eight cases) to induce ovulation. Oestrone, oestradiol, 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, testosterone and androstenedione serum levels increased during the treatment. A decrease in luteinizing hormone serum levels was noticed, and in five cases a spontaneous peak was observed. No changes were noted in 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone serum levels. Ultrasound scanning of the ovaries often revealed multiple follicles at different speeds and stages of growth and their marked turnover was observed. The beginning of the LH spontaneous surge was precocious compared to the normal ovulating follicular sizes: it does not appear that an optimum size exists but when the LH peak occurred too prematurely, ovulation did not take place. Administration of hCG seems to be necessary as spontaneous peaks of LH are not always followed by rupture of the follicle. Ultrasound scanning plays an important role in monitoring ovulation induction, while oestradiol and 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone serum levels are not good indicators of follicular maturity in multifollicular growth. Ovulation occurred in eight patients; four conceptions were obtained, one of which resulted in abortion. No ovarian hyperstimulations were observed.