Evaluation of the Quantitative Expression and Correlation between Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH) During Follicular phase in Primary Infertile Women of Reproductive Age

Abstract

We determined the serum levels of FSH and LH in primary infertile women of reproductive age as well as the physiological correlation between these gonadotropins. This investigation was carried out at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), Nigeria. The sample size is made up of seventy (70) women of reproductive age, falling within the range of 25-34 years, categorized into control (n=35) and primary infertile (n=35) certified as primary infertile by a gynecologist and referred for infertility investigation. A fasting morning blood sample was obtained from each of the patients during the follicular phase of the cycle for the investigation. FSH and LH serum levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods. When the FSH serum levels of the infertile women are compared to that of the control group statistically, it shows a statistically significantly higher serum FSH (FSH mean±SD, 12.88±13.11 (p<0.05)) in the infertile group than the control group. LH serum levels is higher in the infertile group than in the control group as well (mean±SD 9.95±5.97 (p<0.05)). 17.14% had FSH serum levels below (B) the normal range of expected values, 45.71% had serum levels within (W) normal range, and 37.14% had serum levels above (A) the normal range of expected values. For LH, 2.86% had LH serum levels below the normal range of expected values, 57.14% had serum levels within normal range, and 40% had serum levels above the normal range of expected values. Analysis of the physiological correlation between FSH and LH values for the infertile group shows that they are significantly correlated, r = 0.53, p < 0.01. 34.3% of the patients had both serum levels of FSH and LH within the normal limits (3.0-12.0 and 0.5-10.5 mlµ/L respectively).In 2.9% of the cases, both FSH and LH serum levels are below the normal range of expected values (2.9%).