Further Observations on Serial Serum Immunoreactive Inhibin Levels in the Luteal Phase and Early Gestation after Ovarian Stimulation for in vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer

Abstract

Serum immunoreactive inhibin of the luteal phase was measured by radioimmunoassay in 71 patients in in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET). The correlation between the pregnancy outcome and the serial inhibin pattern from the luteal phase to early gestation was studied. In nonconception cycles (n = 35), serum inhibin concentration rose and reached a peak level around 5 or 6 days after oocyte pick-up (OPU), then fell to the level of the early follicular phase. In conception cycles (n = 22), serum inhibin levels rose again 10-15 days after OPU. Serum inhibin levels were significantly higher from 10 days after OPU in multiple pregnancy (n = 5) than in single pregnancy (n = 17). In viable single pregnancy (n = 17), serum inhibin levels were significantly higher than in non-viable pregnancy (n = 14) from 15 days after OPU. Serum inhibin levels in early gestation correlated well with the pregnancy outcome of IVF-ET. These data suggest that inhibin is an important factor for the diagnosis of pregnancy outcome.