Evaluation of a semiquantitative urinary LH assay for ovulation detection

Levels of urinary LH were determined by a rapid, semiquantitative enzyme immunoassay dipstick test (Ovustick, now known as OvuKIT) and the results were compared with a standard serum LH double-antibody radioimmunoassay in 63 cycles of 47 women undergoing stimulated cycles for in vitro fertilisation. A good correlation was found between the two assay methods in 70% of the cycles. An increase in serum LH was associated with a concurrent rise in the dipstick measurement. Using the Ovustick method, no false-positive finding was encountered, but the LH rise was missed in one case. The number of mature oocytes aspirated was significantly higher in the stimulated cycles without an endogenous LH surge. The use of this simple and rapid enzyme immunoassay method makes possible successful and precise timing of ovulation during artificial insemination or egg retrieval for IVF in treatments for infertility.