Continuation of a donor oocyte pregnancy in a functionally agonadal patient without early oestrogen support

A 40 year old functionally agonadal patient was the recipient of fertilized donated oocytes. She accidentally discontinued all oestrogen support on the day preceding embryo transfer until it was reinstated 12 days later. However, a pregnancy was established and resulted in the birth of healthy normal twin infants. This case report suggests that minimal amounts, if any, of oestradiol are sufficient to maintain an early pregnancy, provided adequate amounts of progesterone are given. This is consistent with a recent study conducted in subhuman primates.