Serum progesterone levels in early pregnant women and its relation to luteal maintenance therapy for pregnancy protection

Abstract

Objective To investigate serum levels of β-human chorionic gonadotrophin (β-HCG) and progesterone (P) in early pregnant women, and their relation to luteal maintenance therapy for early pregnancy protection. Methods One hundred and thirty five infertility women treated in Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics of Beijing Chaoyang Hospital from January 2007 to December 2011. Total 150 pregnancy cycles, including 84 with intrauterine insemination (IUI) and 66 with natural conception, were divided into two groups: normal intrauterine pregnancy group (group A, n=80) and early pregnancy loss group (group B, n=70). Medical history, ultrasonic findings, serum female hormone, P and β-HCG levels at early pregnancy stage were analyzed. Results The age of group A and group B was (30.0±3.9) years and (30.7±4.9) years, respectively (P>0.05). The follicle-stimulating hormone/luteinizing hormone in group A and group B was 1.57±0.96 and 1.56±1.08; the estradiol levels in two groups were (152±66) pmol/L and (147±69) pmol/L, respectively (both P>0.05). There were no differences in dominant follicles and endometrial thickness between groups A and B (P>0.05). Ovulation promotion and luteal support treatments were adopted in both groups: 50%(40/80) of cycles in group A received ovulation promotion, 73%(58/80) of cycles received luteal support, while 44%(31/70) and 76%(53/70) received in groups B, respectively. The levels of serum progesterone in group A during 14-21 d, 22-27 d and ≥28 d after ovulation were higher than those in group B at each time points (P 0.05). Conclusion Dynamic monitoring of serum progesterone level in early pregnancy may be used as an auxiliary index for prediction of pregnancy outcome, but it may not be an indicator for luteal maintenance therapy. Key words: Pregnancy trimester, first; Intrinsic factor; Abortion, spontaneous; Progesterone; Corpus luteum maintenance