Early Ovulation Research Articles

Dynamic Change in Circulating Pituitary and Gonadal Hormones from Birth to Puberty in the Thoroughbred Colts and Fillies.

The equine fetal gonads of both sexes have attracted much interest because of remarkable enlargement of gonadal size resulting from increased number of interstitial cells, but the size of gonad reduces at birth and re-starts development for puberty. The present study was designed to elucidate the changes in circulating gonadotropins and gonadal hormones from birth to puberty and thus explicate relationship between gonadal seasonality and hormonal secretion in both sexes of thoroughbred horses. In the first experiment (1st Exp), daily point sampling of jugular blood was done using spring born thoroughbred colts (n=636) and fillies (n=694) from birth to 30 weeks of age. To further expand, in the second experiment (2nd Exp), spring-born colts (n=6) and fillies (n=9) were used for continuous weekly jugular blood samples from birth to 15 months of age. To confirm the gonadal seasonality, in the third experiment (3rd Exp), fully adult stallions (n=10) were used for monthly jugular blood samples for two years. To clarify the relationship between the photoperiod and reproductive endocrinology, in the fourth experiment (4th Exp), geldings males (n=10) were used for continuous monthly jugular blood samples for one year. In the final experiment (5th Exp), for determination of effect of extended photoperiod on reproductive endocrinology, yearlings (colts; 31, fillies; 31) were used. Horses (n=30) were subjected to an artificial photoperiod (14.5 h daylight and 9.5 h of night from December 20th to April 10th). Rest received natural light as the control group (n=32). In both sexes, the 1st Exp showed that levels of steroid hormones (estradiol, testosterone, progesterone) were remarkably high at birth, followed by rapid drop within 48 hr, and remained at the lower level until six months of age. The level of ir-inhibin began to decrease after 3 days, dropping by more than half in the first 20 days after birth, and then declined slowly until six months of age. The 2nd Exp showed a clear increase in serum levels of testosterone, estradiol, and ir-inhibin in colts from around 44 weeks later (April) and remained high until 60 weeks later (August). In fillies, serum levels of progesterone and estradiol increased at around 48 weeks later (April and May), and remained high until 60 weeks. The increase in ir-inhibin was less clear in fillies. In colts, levels of LH, FSH, and PRL showed the first increase by around 16 weeks of age (June to September) and the second large increase at around 50 weeks of age (April to July in the next year). Prolactin exhibited most clear seasonal changes in both sexes. In both sexes, the seasonal increase in circulating PRL was remarkable even in the first year. In the 3rd Exp, clear seasonal changes were observed in gonadotropins and testicular hormones of the adult stallions. The highest concentration of LH, FSH, PRL, ir-inhibin, testosterone and estradiol were noticed in the breeding season (March to July), and the lowest being noted in the non-breeding season (October to February). In the 4th Exp, a similar seasonal change was observed in circulating PRL of gelding males. In the 5th Exp, the light treatment to yearlings stimulated secretion of LH, FSH, and prolactin in both the sexes. The light treatment also induced early ovulation in fillies and early secretion of testosterone and estradiol in colts. These results clearly demonstrated that the hypothalamo-pituitary axis is already responsive to changes in photoperiod and secrete PRL similar to adult horses, but pituitary gonadotrophs for LH and FSH secretion is less sensitive. In addition, the responsiveness of gonads, especially testes of weanling are less sensitive to LH and FSH for testosterone and estradiol secretion. (poster)

Effects of first postpartum progesterone rise, metabolites, milk yield, and body condition score on the subsequent ovarian activity and fertility in lactating Holstein dairy cows

Seventy multiparous healthy lactating Holstein cows (fat-corrected milk yield = 7,561.8 kg) were monitored from 14 days before to 70 days after calving. Transrectal ultrasound scanning was performed twice weekly from 7 to 65 days postpartum. Blood samples were also collected twice weekly to measure serum P(4) and biweekly to detect serum beta-hydroxybutyrate (betaHB) and nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations. Body condition score (BCS) was taken biweekly after calving. Based on the serum P(4) profile of 59 cows (11 cows were excluded due to the occurrence of postpartum diseases) studied, 27 (45.8%) had normal ovarian activity, while 21 (35.6%), six (10.1%), three (5.1%), and two (3.4%) had delayed ovulation (DOV), prolonged luteal phase (PLP), short luteal phase (SLP), and cessation of ovarian activity, respectively. Cows with PLP had an earlier ovulation compared to that of cows with normal ovarian activity (23.16 +/- 4.02 vs 31.9 +/- 8.35 days; P < 0.05). PLP cows also had a greater mean +/- standard deviation peak milk yield (44.2 +/- 5.8 vs 37.2 +/- 5.7 kg/day, 75 days postpartum; P < 0.05) than cows with normal postpartum ovarian activity. The PLP group also had greater milk production in the previous lactation period. Logistic regression analysis indicated that cows with P(4) concentration > or =1 ng/ml on day 24 after calving were more at risk for PLP by 1.1 for each 1 kg increase in mean peak milk yield during 75 days after calving. BCS was lower in cows with DOV compared to that of cows with normal ovarian activity at any time after calving (P < 0.05). Serum betaHB concentrations in DOV cows were significantly higher than that of normal cows on day 42 after calving (0.69 +/- 0.29 vs 0.54 +/- 0.12 mmol/L, P < 0.05). No significant difference was found in the mean concentrations of NEFA between cows in different groups at any time after calving (P > 0.05). The concentrations of P(4) on days 28 and 31 were negatively correlated with betaHB concentration on day 42 after calving in cows with normal ovarian activity (R = -0.44, P = 0.02). In conclusion, these findings suggest that early ovulation and hence early postpartum P(4) rise in addition to the high milk production could partly be responsible for the occurrence of PLP in dairy cows.

Effect of Early Postpartum Ovulation on Fertility in Dairy Cows

Our objectives were to determine the effects of early ovulation on fertility and uterine health of dairy cows. Four hundred and forty-five Holstein cows (185 primiparous and 260 multiparous) from five herds were used. Blood samples were collected at 21, 35 and 49 days in milk (DIM) and cows were considered to be cyclic at 21 DIM (Cyc21) if serum progesterone (P4) concentration was above 1 ng/ml, cyclic by 49 DIM (Cyc49) if P4 concentration was above 1 ng/ml at 35 or 49 DIM, or not cyclic (NotCyc) if P4 concentration was below 1 ng/ml at all sample times. Endometrial cytology for diagnosis of subclinical endometritis was examined at 49 DIM in a subset of 414 cows. Cows in the group Cyc21 had increased hazard of insemination, for the first service, compared with cows in Cyc49 [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.40; 95% CI = 1.10-1.79; p = 0.006] and NotCyc (HR = 2.07; 95% CI = 1.52-2.82; p < 0.001). Cows in the Cyc49 group also had increased hazard of insemination compared with cows in the NotCyc group (HR = 1.47; 95% CI = 1.13-1.93; p = 0.005). Median days to insemination were, respectively, 71, 76 and 96 for cows in Cyc21, Cyc49 and NotCyc groups. Cows in Cyc21 had greater first service pregnancy per AI than Cyc49 [38.6 vs 28.1%; adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.67; 95% CI = 1.01-2.75; p = 0.04] and NotCyc (38.6 vs 23.6%; AOR = 2.08; 95% CI = 1.08-4.00; p = 0.03). Pregnancy per AI was similar in Cyc49 and NotCyc cows (28.1 vs 23.6%; AOR = 1.25; 95% CI = 0.70-2.24; p = 0.45). Cows in Cyc21 had increased hazard of pregnancy up to 300 DIM compared with Cyc49 (HR = 1.52; 95% CI = 1.17-1.96; p = 0.002) and NotCyc (HR = 1.98; 95% CI = 1.41-2.78; p < 0.001). Cows in Cyc49 tended to have increased hazard of pregnancy compared with NotCyc (HR = 1.31; 95% CI = 0.96-1.77; p = 0.09). Median days to pregnancy were, respectively, 103, 147 and 173 for cows in Cyc21, Cyc49 and NotCyc groups. Cows in the Cyc21 group had decreased prevalence of subclinical endometritis compared with cows in the NotCyc group (29.9 vs 43.7%; AOR = 0.53; 95% CI = 0.29-0.97; p = 0.04); however, the prevalence did not differ from the Cyc49 group (29.9 vs 39.1%; AOR = 0.68; 95% CI = 0.41-1.14; p = 0.15). Cyc49 cows had similar prevalence of subclinical endometritis compared with NotCyc cows (AOR = 0.77; 95% CI = 0.46-1.29; p = 0.32). Early postpartum ovulation was associated with improved uterine health and fertility.

High contraceptive failure rate of rhythm method: Possible involvement of pheromones

The rhythm method of birth control is a type of natural family planning and one of the practiced methods of contraception used by many couples through out the world. Couples who opt for contraception abstain from sex during the fertile period of women. The principle of this method is based on the knowledge of the life span of sperm ovum and the time of ovulation. Though the approximate time of ovulation can be calculated based on the duration of womens last menstrual cycle it is still subjected to individual variations. Hence the failure rates reported on this contraceptive method is comparatively higher than other methods available. Pheromones are airborne chemical signals released by an organism into the environment which can affect the physiological and behavioral responses of other organisms of the same species. Researchers have identified the presence of pheromones in human sweat urine and mucous secretions from the genitals. McClintock effect is a classical example which once again proves the presence of human pheromones and its influence. Olfactory mucosa is considered to be the major receptive area through which pheromones mediates their actions in humans. Altered behavioral responses were studied in women who are exposed to male pheromones. Pheromones also have strong influence in the modulation of ovulation in women. Considering the above findings we hypothesize that the presence of male pheromones which will be released from the bodily secretions of male partner at the time of sexual intercourse might be a cause for reducing the ovulation time in the female partner their by causing an early ovulation in her. This might result in high chances of fertilization. This pheromone interplay which alters the ovulation time in females could be one of the possible reasons of high failure rate observed in rhythm method of contraception. Just by knowing the time of ovulation it may not be sufficient enough to prevent pregnancy. It must be always coupled with other tests for the detection of ovulation. How much or to what extend pheromones influence the human nervous system functioning is of considerable interest. (full-text)

Systematic Significance of the Development and Anatomy of Flowers and Fruit of Quercus schottkyana (Subgenus Cyclobalanopsis: Fagaceae)

The developmental process of flower and fruit production was studied for the first time in Quercus schottkyana (subgenus Cyclobalanopsis) and compared with other species of Quercus and related Fagaceae. Four main developmental periods were recognized, and standard embryological features such as basic type of anther wall formation, simultaneous cytokinesis of microspore mother cells, tetrahedrally arranged microspore tetrads, and two‐ to three‐celled pollen grains. Polygonum type of embryo sac development, delayed fertilization, and free nuclear endosperm were observed in Q. schottkyana and confirmed to be plesiomorphic. In Q. schottkyana, the primary archesporial cell divided into megaspore mother cells without forming a primary parietal cell, a condition that may be derived in Fagaceae. Another possibly derived state observed at an early ovule stage was a pseudocrassinucellate nucellus, defined by ovule epidermis giving rise to the subdermal layer (parietal layer) and archesporial cells directly developi...

Contraceptive failure related to early ovulation

Contraceptive failure related to early ovulation

Prolactin and Gonadotropin Responses in Geldings to Injections of Estradiol Benzoate in Oil, Estradiol Benzoate in Biodegradable Microspheres, and Estradiol Cypionate

We previously reported success in inducing early ovulation in seasonally anovulatory mares with a combination of estradiol pretreatment followed by daily administration of a dopamine antagonist (sulpiride). Although every-other-day injections of estradiol benzoate (EB) were effective in that experiment, practical application of this technology would require simplification of the treatment regimen. The current experiment was designed to compare, in a gelding model, the biologic responses of two alternative, one-injection regimens for estradiol delivery to the established EB treatment used previously. Fifteen long-term geldings were sampled via jugular venipuncture from November 5 to 7, 2006, and were then administered intramuscular injections of vegetable oil (n = 4); EB, 11 mg in oil (n = 4; controls); EB in biodegradable microspheres (300 mg; n = 3); or estradiol cypionate, 100 mg in oil (n = 4). Injections of EB in oil were repeated every other day for a total of 10 injections, as was done in our previous experiment. Jugular blood samples were drawn from all geldings at 3, 6, 12, 24, 36, and 48 hours relative to injections, and then on the mornings of days 3, 4, 6, 8, 10 to 18, 22, 26, and 30. On days 10 through 13, all geldings received subcutaneous injections of 125 mg sulpiride, a dopamine receptor antagonist, to stimulate prolactin secretion. On day 12, each gelding received an intravenous injection of 30 μg gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analog and 3 mg thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH); frequent blood samples were drawn to characterize the luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and prolactin responses. Relative to geldings receiving oil, all geldings receiving estradiol injections had a rise ( P < .05) in estradiol concentrations lasting at least 12 days. Daily LH concentrations increased ( P < 0.01) in all treated groups, but the response was delayed approximately 14 days in the geldings receiving EB in microspheres. Daily FSH concentrations decreased ( P < .01) in all treated groups, with the greatest response in the geldings receiving EB in microspheres. Prolactin in daily samples increased ( P < .01) similarly in all estradiol-treated groups after injection of sulpiride. The LH response to GnRH analog was greatest ( P < .05) in geldings receiving EB in oil and estradiol cypionate; the FSH response was not altered by treatment. The prolactin response to TRH was greater ( P < .01) in estradiol-treated geldings relative to controls, but did not differ among groups. Compared with the responses to every-other-day EB injections in oil, as we used previously, a single injection of 100 mg estradiol cypionate gave the most similar and consistent responses. Because of these similar responses in this gelding model, it is likely that a single injection of 100 mg estradiol cypionate can be used in lieu of every-other-day injections of EB in oil in the treatment regimen we reported previously for stimulating ovarian activity in seasonally anovulatory mares.

Melengestrol acetate as a tool for inducing early ovulation in transitional mares

The efficacy of melengestrol acetate (MGA) to shorten the vernal transition of mares by synchronising and accelerating the first ovulation of the year after 60 days of phototherapy was determined by ultrasonographic monitoring. Sixteen mares in late transition were fed two doses of MGA (150 mg/mare/day and 100 mg/mare/day, respectively) for 10 days. A luteolytic dose of prostaglandin was administered to each mare one day after the end of MGA treatment. The presence and duration of oestrus, follicular growth, uterine oedema and presence of ovulation were monitored by ultrasonography and the cervical tone was evaluated by rectal palpation. Ovulation was detected in 87.5% of the mares treated with 150 mg MGA/mare/day for 10 days, and in 62.5% of the mares receiving 100 mg MGA/mare/day for 10 days. This was statistically different (P = 0.03) from the untreated control mares having an ovulation rate of 20%. Mares that received 150 mg MGA/day for 10 days had a mean treatment to ovulation interval of 13.1 +/- 5.97 days after the end of treatment, while mares that received 100 mg MGA/day for 10 days had a mean of 25.6 +/- 10.50 days (P = 0.01) to ovulation. These results suggest that MGA can be used for synchronising and hastening the first ovulation of the year in mares.

Associação da medroxiprogesterona ao protocolo Ovsynch para inseminação artificial em tempo fixo de búfalas cíclicas (Bubalus bubalis) criadas na Amazônia Oriental

O presente estudo visou avaliar os efeitos da associação da medroxiprogesterona (análogo sintético da progesterona) ao protocolo Ovsynch sobre o crescimento folicular, a ovulação e a taxa de concepção de búfalas criadas na Amazônia Oriental (Tracuateua-PA). Vinte e sete fêmeas adultas (G1 n=14 e G2 n=13), cíclicas, sem bezerro ao pé e com ECC 3,5 foram submetidas a Ovsynch. Os animais do G2 receberam 60 mg de medroxiprogesterona entre D0 e D7 (D0=início do tratamento). A ultra-sonografia ovariana foi realizada nos D 0, 7, 9 e 10. O contingente de folículos pequenos diferiu no D7 (G1: 4,57±0,60 versus G2: 6,54±0,67; P=0,05). Tempo e tratamento influenciaram o diâmetro folicular no D7. O crescimento do folículo dominante entre D7 e D9 foi maior nos animais tratados (G1: 2,05±0,49 mm/dia versus 3,48±0,41 mm/dia; P&lt;0,05). Mais animais do G1 ovularam precocemente (35,71% versus 30,77%), porém isso não afetou as taxas de concepção (G1: 50,00% e G2: 30,77%; P&gt;0,05). Os achados sugerem que a medroxiprogesterona (1) aumenta recrutamento folicular e retarda o crescimento dos folículos com diâmetro maior que 5,0 mm entre D0 e D7; (2) sua retirada incrementa em 1,7 vezes o crescimento folicular do D7 ao D9; (3) pode contribuir para a ovulação de folículos maiores e, em tese, para maior formação de tecido luteínico; (4) não promove ovulação precoce após o Ovsynch; (5) não eleva as taxas de concepção após sincronização de fêmeas cíclicas e com bom escore corporal, devendo ser avaliada para uso em fêmeas acíclicas ou com ECC mais baixo.

Commentary: Polycystic ovary syndrome: a transgenerational evolutionary adaptation

Polycystic ovary syndrome has a common association with anovulatory infertility, while the physical symptoms are often associated with the increased androgens that are part of the endocrine profile. There is a well-recognised association with lipid and glucose metabolism anomalies and, when undergoing ovulation induction, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. This common condition is familial, but a contributory gene has yet to be found. The question of why a gene that predisposes to anovulation, diabetes and heart disease might have perpetuated so frequently is addressed. Three hypotheses for evolutionary advantage are discussed. The food deprivation hypothesis considers the role of the observed increase in ovulation when women with the condition lose weight in relation to seasonality. The refeeding hypothesis considers the androgenic and slightly enhanced anabolic metabolism in relation to periods of privation and the advantage of preferential early ovulation when refeeding after a period of privation. The transgenerational privation hypothesis considers the effect of persistent, severe, yet subfatal privation on individuals both in utero and throughout life. While an androgenic, anabolic state would improve efficiency in the use of food for protein synthesis and fat storage, benefiting the fetus both in relation to its in utero development and neonatal survival, survival and reproductive capacity as an adult benefits by a genotype expressing itself in women of successive generations.

Novel follicular-phase gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist stimulation protocol for in vitro fertilization in the poor responder

Poor responders continue to be vexing in infertility therapy. By using GnRH antagonists before ovarian stimulation, we demonstrate an improvement in oocyte, embryo, and zygote yield in patients with a prior poor response.

13 STRATEGIES TO INCREASE OVULATORY FOLLICLE SIZE AND REDUCE OVULATION TIME IN LACTATING DAIRY COWS

In vitro exposure of oocytes to elevated temperatures hastened oocyte maturation; furthermore, performing IVF of heat-stressed oocytes 5 h earlier than the usual 24 h resulted in blastocyst development similar to that of non-heat-stressed controls (Edwards et al. 2005 J. Dairy Sci. 88, 4326–4333). If elevated ambient temperatures in vivo alter oocyte maturation in a similar fashion, then new strategies are needed to induce earlier release of the oocyte from the ovulatory follicle. Current objectives were to examine follicular growth after FSH administration and examine whether treatment with FSH and an exogenously induced LH surge would hasten ovulation. On Day 0 (8 to 9 days after estrus) of the experimental period, lactating Holstein cows (n = 31; 65–115 days in milk; 1–6 lactations) received an EAZI-BREED CIDR (Pfizer Animal Health, New York, NY, USA) plus 100 µg of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH, IM; Cystorelin, Merial Ltd, Iselin, NJ, USA). On Day 7, CIDRs were removed and cows were administered 500 µg cloprostenol (IM; Estrumate, Schering-Plough Animal Health, Union, NJ, USA). Concurrently, cows were randomly allocated to receive either 80 mg FSH (FSH; n = 15; Folltropin-V, Bioniche Animal Health, Belleville, ON, Canada) or 4 mL of sterile saline (SAL; n = 16). Forty-eight h later (Day 9), cows within the FSH and SAL groups were randomly subdivided to receive either a 100-µg dose of Cysterolin (GnRH) or 3000 IU of hCG (hCG, IM; Chorulon, Intervet Inc., Millsboro, DE, USA) generating 4 treatment combinations (FSH/GnRH, n = 3; FSH/hCG, n = 7; SAL/GnRH, n = 8; and SAL/hCG, n = 8). Ovarian activity was assessed by ultrasonography to evaluate growth of the ovulatory follicle. Following CIDR removal, frequent ultrasonography was utilized to confirm ovulation (disappearance of the dominant follicle). Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS (SAS Institute, Inc., Cary, NC, USA). Five cows from the FSH group were removed from the combination treatment due to ovulation occurring before 48 h post-CIDR removal. Size of the ovulatory follicle at time of GnRH or hCG administration was not different between FSH or SAL groups (16.7 � 0.7 v. 17.5 � 0.6 mm, respectively). Total growth of the ovulatory follicle from CIDR removal to ovulation did not differ between FSH (3.04 � 0.7 mm) and SAL (2.75 � 0.7 mm)-treated cows. As calculated from time of CIDR removal, ovulation occurred earlier in FSH (63.6 � 4.5 h) than in SAL (77.2 � 4.4 h; P &lt; 0.05)-treated cows. Combination of FSH/GnRH produced the earliest ovulation (74 � 1.2 h) which was different only from FSH/hCG (78.6 � 0.8 h; P &lt; 0.05), but not from SAL/GnRH or SAL/hCG (77 � 0.8 and 78 � 0.8 h, respectively). Regardless of FSH or SAL treatment, cows treated with GnRH ovulated earlier than those treated with hCG (75.5 � 0.7 v. 78.3 � 0.6 h, respectively; P &lt; 0.05). In conclusion, while FSH was unable to increase the size of the ovulatory follicle, earlier ovulation occurred when given alone or in combination with GnRH.

What is the Significance of Short Follicular Phases in Infertile Women?

A short follicular phase is an early clinical feature of ovarian ageing. It usually takes place near the age of 37-38 years and is associated with increased values of plasma FSH and/or E2 measured on day 3. Ovaries at ultrasound evaluation displays a reduced antral follicle count (AFC) and an advanced follicular maturation leading to early ovulation. A short follicular phase can be also encountered in younger women but its significance is unknown. The aim of this study was to assess whether a short follicular phase in <35 y women is a feature of early ovarian ageing.

Egg Production in Chersina angulata: An Unusual Pattern in a Mediterranean Climate

Abstract The reproductive cycle and egg production of Chersina angulata females, maintained under natural climate conditions, were studied over 29 months using ultrasonography. Angulate tortoises initiated egg production in February (late summer) and were gravid through most of the year. A short nongravid period in January indicates a cyclic rather than continuous reproductive pattern. Chersina angulata females produced one egg at a time, and clutch frequency ranged from one to six per year. Annual fecundity was influenced by the date of reproductive onset and egg-retention time; early ovulation and a short retention time increased annual fecundity. Egg retention time was highly variable (23–212 days) and correlated to ambient temperature (inversely) and rainfall (positively). Temperature had no direct effect on oviposition, but rainfall served as an important exogenous cue, perhaps facilitating nesting. Oviposition and ovulation were synchronized and females prepared a new egg immediately after ovipositi...

Early ovule development following self- and cross-pollinations in Eucalyptus globulus Labill. ssp. globulus.

The study was conducted to identify the self-incompatibility mechanism in Eucalyptus globulus ssp. globulus. Controlled self- and cross-pollinations were conducted on individual flowers from three mature trees that had self-incompatibility levels of 76, 99.6 and 100%. Flowers were harvested at 4, 6 and 8 weeks after pollination. Embryology was investigated by bright field microscopy on material harvested at 4 and 6 weeks after pollination. Fertilization had taken place at 4 weeks after pollination with zygotes and free nuclear endosperm visible. There was a greater proportion of healthy, fertilized ovules in the cross- compared with the self-pollination treatment, and approx. half the ovules examined from both pollen treatments were not fertilized or were degenerating. By 6 weeks after pollination a few zygotes were starting to divide. The number of healthy, fertilized ovules was still greater in the cross-pollination treatment, but the number of healthy fertilized ovules was lower in both treatments compared with 4 weeks after pollination, and many ovules were degenerating. Fertilized ovules were significantly larger than non-fertilized or degenerating ovules and this difference was detectable by eye at 6 and 8 weeks after pollination. The mechanism of self-incompatibility appears to have both late pre- and post-zygotic components.

Effect of short follicular phase on conception outcome

A retrospective study was conducted to determine if having a short follicular phase despite attaining a mature follicle (18–24 mm by ultrasound and serum estradiol (E2) >200 pg/mL), is associated with reduced fecundity. The demonstration of lower pregnancy rates (PRs) prompted a prospective matched controlled study (based on age, duration of infertility, and type of follicular phase medications used). All patients were treated with progesterone (P) in the luteal phase. Early ovulation was considered as oocyte release demonstrated by day 11. Women with early follicular phase serum FSH levels >11 mIU/mL were excluded. The retrospective study (n = 21 women) revealed only 8 pregnancies in 66 cycles (12.1% per cycle) but the viable PR was only 4.6% (3/66). The PR per cycle for the 12 early ovulators in the matched controlled study was 9.0% (3/33) with a viable PR of 3.0% (1/33). The control group (later ovulators) had a 28.5% PR/cycle (14/49) and a viable rate of 18.1% (9/49). There were 13 cycles in the early ovulator group where an ovulation did occur past day 11. Four (30.7%) achieved a pregnancy and the viable PR per cycle was 23%. In the matched controlled study the mean pre-ovulatory endometrial thickness was 8 mm compared to 10.2 mm for late ovulators. These data clearly show that when a woman ovulates before day 11 she has less chance of conceiving than a woman ovulating later than day 11 even if follicular maturation is achieved and luteal phase P support is given. The fact that the PR per cycle in women from the early ovulator group, who in some cycles ovulated after day 11 was comparable to the late ovulator group suggested that the reduced fecundity was related to the short follicular phase per se and not intrinsic to conditions leading to early ovulation.

How does early ultrasound scan estimation of gestational age lead to higher rates of preterm birth?

OBJECTIVE: Early ultrasound scanning estimation of gestational age is known to increase the reported preterm delivery rate (<37 completed weeks) compared with estimation by date of the last normal menstrual period, but it is unclear how this systematic difference arises. STUDY DESIGN: This study was a hospital-based study of 44,623 women who delivered a live-born or stillborn infant between January 1, 1978, and March 31, 1996, and who had both last normal menstrual period-based and early (usually at 16-18 weeks) ultrasound scan-based gestational age estimates. Cross-classification of the 2 estimates by completed weeks was used to examine the direction and magnitude of the differences between them and to compare the resulting classifications of preterm birth. RESULTS: The early ultrasound scan-based gestational age distribution was shifted uniformly to the left (ie, lower gestational age) relative to the last normal menstrual period gestational age distribution; the early ultrasound scan-based preterm delivery rate was 9.1%, which was 19.5% (n = 659 births) higher than the 7.6% rate by last normal menstrual period (P <.0001). The last normal menstrual period estimate exceeded the early ultrasound scan estimate far more often than the reverse, up to and including early ultrasound scan estimates of 40 weeks. No concentration of 4-week discrepancies was observed in either direction, as would be expected with random or systematic errors in recall of the last normal menstrual period. The absolute number of births at 37 to 39 weeks of gestation (by last normal menstrual period) that were reclassified as preterm (n = 1206 births) was much higher than the number of preterm births at 34 to 36 weeks of gestation that were reclassified as term (n = 581 births). The net increase of 625 preterm births (from 581 to 1206 births) that resulted from reclassification of births at 37 to 39 last normal menstrual period weeks accounted for 95% of the total 659-birth increase in early ultrasound scan-based preterm births at all last normal menstrual period gestational ages. CONCLUSION: Early ultrasound scanning reduces the gestational age estimate across the entire gestational age range; early ultrasound scan-based reclassification of gestational age results in a substantial increase in the prevalence of preterm births. Small downward reclassifications exceed upward reclassifications of similar magnitude, which is consistent with previous reports that delayed (>14 days) ovulation is more frequent than early (<14 days) ovulation. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2002;186:433-7.)

Is the short follicular phase in older women secondary to advanced or accelerated dominant follicle development?

Objective: Women in later reproductive life have a shortened menstrual cycle associated with earlier ovulation. The current study was conducted to determine if the shortened follicular phase in ovulatory older women is secondary to advanced (i.e. earlier initiation) or accelerated (i.e. more rapid) folliculogenesis.

Die Wirksamkeit des Komplexmittels Phyto-Hypophyson® L bei weiblicher, hormonell bedingter Sterilität. Eine randomisierte, placebokontrollierte, klinische Doppelblindstudie

Phyto-Hypophyson^(r) L for Female Infertility. Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Clinical Double-Blind Study Objective and Design:In a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study, the effects of Phyto Hypophyson L (Steierl-Pharma GmbH, Herrsching, Germany), an Agnus castus-containing homeopathic preparation, were investigated in 67 women with fertility disorders. Patients and Methods:37 women with oligomenorrhea and 30 women with amenorrhea received 50 drops of Phyto Hypophyson L or placebo 3 times a day over 3 months or 3 cycles. Outcome Measure and Results:The outcome measure being spontaneous menstruation, improved concentration of progesterone in the luteal phase, shortening of the cycle, earlier ovulation, and pregnancy was achieved in 38 out of 67 women. It was achieved more often from women with oligomenorrhea in the Phyto Hypophyson L group compared to the placebo group (82 versus 45%, p = 0.021). However, there was no significant effect when viewing the whole group. The baby take-home rate during the therapy and 6 months after the end of the therapy showed a ratio of 6 : 2 (18.7 : 6.4%). This result was not significant. Furthermore, in the oligomenorrhea verum group we observed a significant increase of progesterone during the luteal phase compared to the oligomenorrhea placebo group. Only very few undesirable drug effects were observed. Conclusion: In women with sterility and oligomenorrhea, a treatment with Phyto Hypophyson L can be recommended over a period of 3–6 months.

Synchronization of ovulation in crossbred dairy heifers using gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist, prostaglandin F2alpha and human chorionic gonadotrophin or estradiol benzoate.

Girolando (Gir x Holstein) is a very common dairy breed in Brazil because it combines the rusticity of Gir (Bos indicus) with the high milk yield of Holstein (Bos taurus). The ovarian follicular dynamics and hormonal treatments for synchronization of ovulation and timed artificial insemination were studied in Girolando heifers. The injection of a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist was followed 6 or 7 days (d) later by prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha). Twenty-four hours after PGF2alpha injection either human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG, GPh-d6 and GPh-d7 groups) or estradiol benzoate (EB, GPE-d6 and GPE-d7 groups) was administered to synchronize ovulation and consequently allow timed artificial insemination (AI) 24 and 30 h after hCG and EB injection, respectively. Follicular dynamics in Girolando heifers was characterized by the predominance of three follicular waves (71.4%) with sizes of dominant follicles (10-13 mm) and corpus luteum (approximately 20 mm) similar to those for Bos indicus cattle. In the GnRH-PGF-hCG protocol, hCG administration induced earlier ovulation (67.4 h, P<0.01) compared to the control group (GnRH-PGF) and a better synchronization of ovulation, since most of it occurred within a period of 12 to 17 h. Pregnancy rate after timed AI was 42.8 (3/7, GPh-d6) to 50% (7/14, GPh-d7). In contrast, estradiol benzoate (GnRH-PGF-EB protocol) synchronized ovulation of only 5 of 11 heifers from the GPE-d7 group and of none (0/7) from the GPE-d6 group, which led to low pregnancy rates after timed AI (27.3 and 0%, respectively). However, since a small number of Girolando heifers was used to determine pregnancy rates in the present study, pregnancy rates should be confirmed with a larger number of animals.