Induction of Ovulation with Epimestrol and Luteinizing Hormone‐Releasing Hormone (LH‐RH)

Abstract

Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) was used to induce LH surge and ovulation in 20 patients in whom follicular maturation was provoked by epimestrol, used in a dose of 5 mg/day from the fifth to 14th day of the cycle. Patients with elevated prolactin levels and galactorrhea were not included in the study. Complete follicular maturation, as inferred by estradiol levels above 200 pg/ml, were observed in 13 of 20 patients following epimestrol treatment. LH-RH induced ovulation in 90% of these patients following a three-day course of treatment. Normal corpus luteum function with progesterone levels above 8 ng/ml was observed in most cases. Five pregnancies occurred in the first two cycles of treatment. In patients with low estradiol levels, following epimestrol priming, the administration of LH-RH did not result in ovulation.