Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 18, 2025

Methods for Studying Uterine Contributions to Pregnancy Establishment in an Ovariectomized Mouse Model
Published on: April 7, 2023
The role of serum progesterone induced blocking factor on unexplained infertility
Mefkure Eraslan Sahin1, Ilknur Col Madendag1, Erdem Sahin2
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kayseri City Hospital, Kayseri, Turkey.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to determine whether the progesterone-induced blocking factor (PIBF) level in women with unexplained infertility differed from that in fertile women.
Study Design:
Volunteers between 18 and 35 years old were included in this cross-sectional study and were divided into two groups-the unexplained-infertility group and the control group. Demographic data on all the women were collected using a detailed questionnaire. The infertile participants and their male partners received complete infertility examinations according to the protocol. Blood samples were taken from all participants after the examinations during regular clinic visits. Serum PIBF levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
Results:
Of the 46 healthy participants in the study, 22 had unexplained infertility. Age, body mass index, ethnicity, education level, age at first menarche, and length of menstrual cycles, serum follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, estradiol, prolactin, thyroid stimulating hormone, and progesterone were similar between two groups. The mean right antral follicle count (AFC) was 6.6 ± 1.8 in the unexplained-infertility group and 6.5 ± 2.0 in the control group. The mean left AFC was 6.6 ± 2.0 in the unexplained-infertility group and 6.9 ± 1.5 in control group. The mean serum PIBF level was 6.92 ± 3.41 ng/mL in the unexplained-infertility group and 12.10 ± 10.47 ng/mL in the control group, which was a significant difference (p = 0.02).
Conclusion:
The present study showed that serum PIBF levels were significantly lower in unexplained-infertility group than in the fertile control group.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Infertility in Females
Endometriosis, a condition characterized by abnormal growth of...
Infertility in Males
Birth Control Methods
Hormonal Regulation of the Menstrual Cycle
At puberty, GnRH begins a pulsatile release pattern, which triggers the anterior pituitary gland to secrete follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). The frequency and amplitude of GnRH pulses vary across the menstrual cycle, with faster pulses favoring LH release and slower pulses favoring FSH...
Hormonal Control of the Ovarian Cycle
Before puberty, the hypothalamus releases GnRH in a low frequency, low amplitude pulsatile manner. This along with the immature hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis activity, results in low estrogen levels and the absence of a fully functional ovarian cycle. At puberty, GnRH secretion increases in both frequency and...
Ovarian Cycle

