Circadian serum progesterone variations on the day of frozen embryo transfer in artificially prepared cycles

Abstract

Research questionWhat is the intra-day variation of serum progesterone related to vaginal progesterone administration on the day of frozen embryo transfer (FET) in an artificial cycle? DesignA prospective cohort study was conducted including 22 patients undergoing a single blastocyst artificial cycle (AC)–FET from August to December 2022. Endometrial preparation was achieved by administering oestradiol valerate (2 mg three times daily) and consecutively micronized vaginal progesterone (MVP; 400 mg twice daily). A blastocyst FET was performed on the 6th day of MVP administration. Serum progesterone concentrations were measured on the day of transfer at 08:00, 12:00, 16:00 and 20:00 hours. The first and last blood samples were collected just before MVP was administered. ResultsThe mean age and body mass index of the study population were 33.95 ± 3.98 years and 23.10 ± 1.95 kg/m2. The mean P-values at 08:00, 12:00, 16:00 and 20:00 hours were 11.72 ± 4.99, 13.59 ± 6.33, 10.23 ± 3.81 and 9.28 ± 3.09 ng/ml, respectively. A significant decline, of 2.41 ng/ml (95% confidence interval 0.81–4.00), was found between the first and last progesterone measurements. ConclusionA statistically significant intra-day variation of serum progesterone concentrations on the day of FET in artificially prepared cycles was observed. This highlights the importance of a standardized procedure for the timing of progesterone measurement on the day of AC–FET. Of note, the study results are applicable only to women using MVP for luteal phase support; therefore it is necessary to confirm its validity in comparison with the different existing administration routes of progesterone.