Endocrinology of Early Pregnancy in Women without Ovarian Function

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to determine the production of some factors in pregnant women (n = 18) after oocyte donation and replacement therapy, in the three following situations: ongoing pregnancies, abortions, and biochemical pregnancies. In serum samples taken at least once a week during 16 weeks of theoretical amenorrhoea (w.a.) and preserved at - 80C, the concentrations of 6 chorionic gonatrophin hormone (PhCG), oestradiol (Ez), progesterone (P4), inhibin (I), growth hormone (OH), epidermal growth factor (EGF) and insulinlike growth factor 1 (IGF1) were measured. In ongoing pregnancies, the hCG curve is similar in oocyte donation and in pregnancies with a corpus luteum (CL). In early pregnancies, E2 and P4 reflect the hormonal substitution. The trophoblast production of E2 is detectable between the 6th and 7th w.a., and that of P4 at the beginning of the 9th w.a. The inhibin is detectable 10 days after the transfer and increases distinctly on the 6th w.a. The GH curve is lower in women suffering from premature ovarian failure (POF) than in pregnant women possessing a CL; EGF and IGFl curves are uniform.