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Ovulation inhibition with human chorionic gonadotrophin
Acta Endocrinologica
|February 1, 1975
Summary
Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin (HCG) treatment can inhibit or postpone ovulation when administered later in the menstrual cycle. Early HCG administration may mimic normal corpus luteum activity, suggesting timing is crucial for its effects.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Endocrinology
- Gynecology
- Hormone Therapy
Background:
- The menstrual cycle is regulated by complex hormonal interactions.
- Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin (HCG) is a hormone with potential roles in reproductive processes.
- Understanding HCG's effects on ovulation is crucial for its therapeutic application.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin (HCG) on ovulation.
- To determine the impact of HCG administration timing on menstrual cycle hormonal profiles.
- To explore the potential mechanisms of HCG-induced ovulation inhibition or postponement.
Main Methods:
- Eight women with regular cycles received daily HCG (3000 or 5000 IU) for 4-7 days across 9 cycles.
- Treatment initiation varied between days 1-6 of the menstrual cycle.
- Monitoring included basal body temperature, pregnanediol, endometrial biopsies, and serum hormone assays (estradiol-17 beta, progesterone, LH, FSH).
Main Results:
- In 6 cycles where HCG started on day 4 or later, ovulation was inhibited (2 cycles) or postponed (4 cycles) to days 24-46.
- These cycles showed poor or absent progesterone and pregnanediol increases, with impaired estradiol-17 beta rise.
- In 3 cycles initiated on days 1-4, HCG treatment led to estradiol-17 beta and progesterone increases resembling corpus luteum activity.
Conclusions:
- Late-cycle HCG administration can inhibit or postpone ovulation.
- Early-cycle HCG administration may support luteal phase hormonal profiles.
- Theca interna luteinization, potentially induced by HCG, may lead to follicle degeneration and altered ovulation timing.