Evaluation of Ovarian Response to HMG Stimulation

Abstract

Urinary estriol excretion has been measured serially during human menopausal gonadotropin (HMG) treatment in an effort to assess ovarian response (33 patients, 68 cycles). The following conclusions have been drawn: 1) Pretreatment estriol levels are of limited value in predicting ovarian response. 2) Variation in dose response limits the use of HMG as a “stimulation test.” 3) HMG stimulation is of diagnostic value in some cases where the presence of potentially functioning ovarian tissue is in question. 4) Significant ovarian enlargement can occur in any patient with responsive ovarian tissue. 5) Estriol levels are useful in timing human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) administration, both with regard to increasing the likelihood of ovulation and for the purpose of avoiding overstimulation. 6) Clinical assessment of cervical mucus as a measurement of ovarian response may be misleading.