Follicular fluid prostaglandin E2:prostaglandin F2{alpha} ratio in relation to outcome of matched oocyte

The prostaglandins PGE₂ and PGF₂ and the steroid hormones oestradiol(E₂) and progesterone (P) were measured in 345 follicular fluidsof patients undergoing ovarian hyperstimulation for in-vitrofertilization (IVF). The measured concentrations were analysedin relation to the outcome of the matched oocyte. Progesteronelevels were significantly tower in the unfertilized group (P<0.005)compared to the fertilized group but there was no differencebetween ‘pregnancy’ and ‘no pregnancy’.No differences were shown in either E₂ levels or the E₂:P ratio.No significant differences were shown among the groups in theconcentration of either PGE₂ or PGF₂ but there were highly significantdifferences shown when the PGE₂:PGF₂ ratios were compared. ThePGE₂:PGF₂ ratio fell within a much narrower range for the ‘pregnancy’group compared with any of the other groups. The ratio was significantlylower (P<0.001) when ‘pregnancy’ was comparedwith ‘no pregnancy’. The range of the prostaglandinratio found for the ‘pregnancy’ group may reflectthe moment when conditions are optimal within the follicle forthe associated oocyte to go on to establish pregnancy.