Serum fertility profile in infertile women in Calabar

Abstract

This study was aimed to determine follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), Prolactin (PRL), progesterone (PROG), and estradiol (E2) levels in infertile women in Calabar. A total of ninety (90) subjects which comprises of thirty (30) menorrheic infertile women, thirty (30) amenorrheic infertile women and thirty (30) controls were enrolled into the study. The infertile women were further grouped into twenty three (23) primary and thirty seven (37) secondary infertile women. Blood samples were collected from menorrheic infertile women and control on third and twenty first day of the menstrual cycle. FSH, LH, estradiol, and prolactin were analysed using day three serum samples, while progesterone was analyzed using day twenty first samples using ELISA method. Random blood samples were collected from amenorrrheic infertile women and were assayed for FSH, LH, E2, prolactin, progesterone using ELISA method. Anthropometric indices and sociodemographic information were obtained using standard methods. Data were analyzed using student t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Significant difference was considered at p <0.05. The mean levels of FSH, LH, and prolactin were significantly higher (p = 0.001) while progesterone was significantly lower (p=0.001) in infertile women when compared to control. The WHR was significantly higher (p=0.037) in the secondary infertile women compared to the primary infertile women. Lower level of progesterone and higher levels of FSH, LH and prolactin may be associated with female infertility in Calabar. It is recommended that early estimation of these hormonal parameters and their management would possibly lead to increased chances of conception.