Do raised serum luteinizing hormone levels during stimulation for in-vitro fertilization predict outcome?

Previous reports associating raised LH concentrations with reduced fertilization and pregnancy rates in women undergoing in-vitro fertilization (IVF) have assumed a Gaussian distribution of LH values with IVF treatment. We have determined the serum LH range during ovarian stimulation for IVF with a single regimen of clomiphene citrate/hMG from 102 consecutive IVF conception cycles. The results show a non-Gaussian distribution of LH values. Application of this LH range to a consecutive series of 596 women undergoing IVF treated with this single regimen showed no difference in pregnancy rates, fertilization rates, median number of oocytes fertilized or retrieved when analysed with respect to serum LH concentrations above the 75th or 95th centile for greater than or equal to 3 days of an IVF treatment cycle. We conclude that follicular-phase LH concentrations do not predict IVF fertilization rates or clinical outcome and are not clinically useful in individual patient management.