Utility of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), oestradiol and FSH:LH ratio in predicting reproductive age in normal women

The relative efficacy of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizinghormone (LH), FSH:LH ratio and oestradiol is evaluated as a predictor ofovarian reserve (reproductive age) in normal women. Serum levels of FSH,LH, oestradiol and FSH:LH ratios were measured during menstrual cycle days1-4 in younger (20-25 years; n = 23) and older (40- 45 years; n = 32)reproductive age women with regular menstruation and normal reproductivefunction. On days 1-4, mean levels of FSH, oestradiol and FSH:LH ratioswere significantly higher in older compared with younger women. FSHincreased in concentration across cycle days in both age groups. Asignificantly lower LH value in younger versus older women was found onlyon day 1. Oestradiol showed no change across days in the younger group, butincreased significantly from day 1 to day 4 in the older group. FSH valueson days 1 or 2 were the best single predictor of age differences. However,the best prediction of age differences was obtained by using thecombination of FSH and LH (as opposed to the FSH:LH ratio) on day 1 of themenstrual cycle.