The impact of high progesterone levels in the follicular phase of in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles: A comparative study

Estrogen (E₂) and plasma progesterone (P₄) levels are valuable parameters for follicular development in in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles. Furthermore, the progesterone concentration prior to, during, and following human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration is an important marker for the detection of early luteinization and premature ovulation. The pattern of hormonal profile in relation to the number of oocytes retrieved, fertilized, and cleaved and the fate of the pregnancies achieved were compared in three groups of patients treated by the same protocol. Group I included 22 women who conceived with high progesterone levels on day hCG+1 (P_4'>2.5 ng/ml). Group II included 43 women who conceived with low P₄ values (P_4'<2.5 ng/ml), while group III included 46 patients in whom no pregnancies occurred. A significant decrease in fertilization, cleavage, and pregnancy rates was observed in patients with high progesterone levels on day hCG+1, compared to those with normal levels. Nevertheless, it is suggested that cycles with high P₄ levels in the preovulatory phase should not be canceled, as a fair chance for pregnancy still exists.