Monitoring gonadotrophin therapy by real‐time ultrasonic scanning of ovarian follicles

Abstract

Real-time ultrasound scanning of ovarian follicles was performed during 61 cycles in 22 infertile patients being treated with sequential injections of human menopausal gonadotrophin (hMG) and human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG). Total 24-h urinary oestrogens were estimated (and in 13 cycles plasma oestradiol) but the amount of gonadotrophin given was based mainly on the ultrasound findings. A retrospective analysis of the results showed that there was a poor statistical correlation between the diameter of the largest follicle and the total urinary oestrogens (r=0.39) and with the level of plasma oestradiol (r=0.56), although similar clinical information was obtained by all methods. Ovulation was induced in 58 cycles when the leading follicle had a mean diameter of 20-25 mm (mean 21.3 mm); follicular rupture was observed in 57 cycles and in these cases there was biochemical evidence of luteinization (plasma progesterone greater than 15 nmol/1; total urinary pregnanediol greater than 8 nmol/24h). Three patients (three cycles) were not given hCG; one developed micropolycystic ovaries and two showed evidence of hyperstimulation (one follicle greater than 25 mm diameter, three or more follicles 20-25 mm diameter). Twelve patients became pregnant, all with single fetuses. Subsequently one aborted, one had an ectopic pregnancy, three gave birth to normal babies at term and seven pregnancies are continuing. Real-time ultrasound scanning of ovarian follicles is a simple, practical method for monitoring follicular growth during the administration of hMG and predicting the response to hCG.