Follicular phase hormonal profiles during administration of leuprolide for in vitro fertilization.

Hormonal changes induced during short-term administration of leuprolide were evaluated during the follicular phase in 57 patients who completed an IVF cycle. They were compared with those of 14 patients who were placed on long-term suppression. There was an unexpected abnormal increase in serum progesterone during the first week of the cycle in nine of the 57, with no significant change in the fertilization and cleavage rate; however, no pregnancy was achieved in this group.

Hysterosalpingography, laparoscopy and hysteroscopy in infertility. A comparative study.

The accuracy and significance of hysterosalpingography (HSG) during an infertility evaluation were assessed by comparing the radiologic findings on HSG to the operative findings during laparoscopy and hysteroscopy. One hundred ninety-three patients underwent a complete infertility evaluation at our center. HSG was performed during the proliferative phase and was followed by laparoscopy and hysteroscopy, when indicated, during the same or next cycle.

Effectiveness of stimulated menstrual cycles and Percoll sperm preparation in intrauterine insemination.

To examine the usefulness of intrauterine insemination in women with various fertility factors, we retrospectively analyzed data from women treated during 1986 and 1987. Ninety-three patients underwent 1-11 cycles of single or double procedures, for a total of 423 inseminations in 263 treatment cycles. Twenty-six patients (28%) conceived, for a 10% total pregnancy rate per cycle, with 58% of the pregnancies resulting from double inseminations per cycle.

Evaluation of the Pipelle curette for endometrial biopsy.

The Pipelle endometrial suction curette was evaluated, and its application and effectiveness were compared to those of the Novak curette for endometrial sampling during the midluteal phase. Fifty women underwent an endometrial biopsy with the Pipelle and Novak curettes. Ninety percent of the women preferred the biopsy with the Pipelle.