P–678 Increased luteinizing hormone in ovarian dysfunction attenuates follicle development and oocyte quality in human
Authors: Tanaka Y , Kawamura K 
Published: August 2021

Study question

Can increased luteinizing hormone impair follicular development and oocyte quality in patients with ovarian dysfunction?

Summary answer

Increased luteinizing hormone attenuates follicular development and oocyte quality, resulting in arrest of follicle growth and empty follicles and low-quality embryos.

What is known already

Patients with ovarian dysfunction exhibit elevated gonadotropins and low estrogen levels reflecting their low ovarian reserve. For ovarian stimulation in these patients, natural or mild stimulation protocols are likely used, but we often experienced the arrest of follicle growth and empty follicles at oocyte retrieval. Animal studies demonstrated that chronic high LH exposure impaired the growth of antral follicles by suppressing the expression of FSHR in granulosa cells via a modulation of intraovarian regulators, including the LH-induced thecal factors. Study design, size, duration: Retrospective analysis was conducted in 72 patients with ovarian dysfunction who received ovarian stimulations followed by IVF-ET from April 2018 to March 2020 after obtaining written informed consents under an approval from the ethical committee of our hospital.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

The data of hormonal levels, transvaginal ultrasound during ovarian stimulation and clinical outcome of IVF were extracted from electric chart. For evaluation of embryo, high quality embryos referred to embryos having Veeck classification &gt;grade 3 and &gt;4 blastomeres. Statistical significance was determined using Dunnett or chi-square tests, with P &lt; 0.05 being statistically significant.

Main results and the role of chance

The median age of participants was 42 years of age (range 26–49) with low serum AMH levels (median 0.9 ng/ml, range 0–1.83). We analyzed 361 cycles of ovarian stimulation in total (median 4 cycles/patient, range 1–21). These stimulation cycles were classified into 3 groups; group A (n = 230): normal LH level, group B (n = 93): elevated LH level (&gt; 10 mIU/ml) after ovarian stimulation and group C (n = 33): elevated LH level from the initiation of ovarian stimulation. Among 361 cycles, the arrest of follicle growth was detected in 5 cycles (group A: 0%, group B: 60%, group C: 40%). The proportions of empty follicle in group A, B and C were 17.3±2.0%, 20.9±3.3%and 38.6±7.2%, respectively. The rate of empty follicle was significantly high in group C. Although there was no significant difference in the rates of oocyte degeneration and fertilization, the rate of high-quality embryos in group C was 0.8-fold lower than that of group A.

Limitations, reasons for caution

Due to limitation of participants, we could not determine the appropriate LH level for ovarian stimulation in patients with ovarian dysfunction based on receiver operatorating characteristic curve.

Wider implications of the findings: Normalization of LH levels for ovarian simulation in patients with ovarian dysfunction could improve follicle development and oocyte quality.

Trial registration number

Not applicable