Excretion of estrone-3-glucuronide in urine in spontaneous and induced ovulatory cycles

Response of the ovary to ovulation-inducing agents, such as clomiphene citrate and gonadotropin, was assessed using estimations of urinary estrone-3-glucuronide (E1G) by an ELISA test. Baseline data collected over 58 cycles from regularly menstruating women were used as reference. Further, the pattern of E1G excretion was compared with ultrasound assessment of follicular growth. In ovulatory cycles, a good correlation is seen between follicular growth and follicular function. However, when cystic follicles develop after treatment, the correlation is poor: the follicle increases in size without a corresponding increase in E1G excretion. It is suggested that ultrasound examination and hormonal pattern should be used concurrently to assess the response of the ovary to ovulation-inducing agents.