Luteal blood flow and luteal function
Open Access
- 14 January 2009
- journal article
- Published by Springer Science and Business Media LLC in Journal of Ovarian Research
- Vol. 2 (1), 1-6
- https://doi.org/10.1186/1757-2215-2-1
Abstract
Background Blood flow in the corpus luteum (CL) is associated with luteal function. The present study was undertaken to investigate whether luteal function can be improved by increasing CL blood flow in women with luteal phase defect (LFD). Methods Blood flow impedance in the CL was measured by transvaginal color-pulsed-Doppler-ultrasonography and was expressed as a resistance index (RI). The patients with both LFD [serum progesterone (P) concentrations < 10 ng/ml during mid-luteal phase] and high CL-RI (≥ 0.51) were given vitamin-E (600 mg/day, n = 18), L-arginine (6 g/day, n = 14) as a potential nitric oxide donor, melatonin (3 mg/day, n = 13) as an antioxidant, or HCG (2,000 IU/day, n = 10) during the subsequent menstrual cycle. Results In the control group (n = 11), who received no medication to increase CL blood flow, only one patient (9%) improved in CL-RI and 2 patients (18%) improved in serum P. Vitamin-E improved CL-RI in 15 patients (83%) and improved serum P in 12 patients (67%). L-arginine improved CL-RI in all the patients (100%) and improved serum P in 10 patients (71%). HCG improved CL-RI in all the patients (100%) and improved serum P in 9 patients (90%). Melatonin had no significant effect. Conclusion Vitamin-E or L-arginine treatment improved luteal function by decreasing CL blood flow impedance. CL blood flow is a critical factor for luteal function.Keywords
This publication has 43 references indexed in Scilit:
- Changes in blood-flow impedance of the human corpus luteum throughout the luteal phase and during early pregnancyFertility and Sterility, 2008
- L-Arginine Reverses Alterations in Drug Disposition Induced by Spinal Cord Injury by Increasing Hepatic Blood FlowJournal of Neurotrauma, 2007
- Oxidative stress impairs oocyte quality and melatonin protects oocytes from free radical damage and improves fertilization rateJournal of Pineal Research, 2007
- Intraovarian blood flow measured with color doppler ultrasonography inversely correlates with vascular density in the human corpus luteum of the menstrual cycleFertility and Sterility, 2004
- Doppler study of arterial and venous intraovarian blood flow in stimulated cyclesUltrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology, 2001
- Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Its Receptors in the Human Corpus Luteum during the Menstrual Cycle and in Early PregnancyJournal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 2000
- Suppression of Luteal Angiogenesis in the Primate after Neutralization of Vascular Endothelial Growth FactorEndocrinology, 2000
- Regional hemodynamic adaptation during the menstrual cycle*1Obstetrics & Gynecology, 1999
- Effects of Ovarian Ischemia-Reperfusion on Luteal Function in Pregnant Rats1Biology of Reproduction, 1993
- Blood Flow: A Mediator of Ovarian Function1Biology of Reproduction, 1976