Measurement of estradiol in blood serum. Used especially for monitoring the development of ovarian follicles in assisted conception, usually together with transvaginal ultrasound. The cycle might be a natural one or, more usually, when there is ovulation induction or superovulation. The result should be available within 4 hours of the test for this purpose.

Serial transvaginal ultrasounds of the ovary during the follicular phase to track the growth of one or more tertiary follicles, accompanied usually by serial estimations of serum estradiol, serum LH and serum progesterone, for the two-fold purpose of estimating follicular maturity (to time intercourse, a mid-cycle-dependent investigation such as a postcoital test, or an egg retrieval) and identifying the onset of the LH-surge, which can affect the timing of the intervention. Sometimes accompanied by injection of human chorionic gonadotropin to trigger ovulation at a precisely anticipated time.

Recombinant follicle stimulating hormone made by Organon. Called Puregon in Europe, Australia and Asia. On an equivalent dose basis, produces serum FSH that are somewhat slower to rise than with the use of hMG preparations, but which are ultimately higher: in other words, follicles and serum estradiol levels take a little longer to respond than they do to Humegon, but the number of mature, preovulatory follicles available for egg retrieval is the same or more. I find that 200 U (units) of Puregon per day produces a similar result to 225 U of Humegon or Metrodin. Generically known as follitropin beta.

In our context, the frequent estimation of serum estradiol (or perhaps estimating the cervical score) and performance of transvaginal ultrasound to estimate how close a woman is to ovulation.

The frequent estimation of serum estradiol (or perhaps estimating the cervical score) and performance of transvaginal ultrasound to estimate how close a woman is to ovulation.

(PCT) A test of: (1) receptiveness of the cervical mucus to sperm; and (2) sperm motility -- both of which are needed for the test to be a positive test. It's essential that the test be done to coincide with ovulation, tested with a urinary LH kit or measurements of serum estradiol (high), serum LH (preferably high) and serum progesterone (still low), because the job description of the cervical mucus at other times is to be impenetrable to sperm (i.e. the PCT will be negative for normal reasons).

Recombinant follicle stimulating hormone made by Organon. Called Follistim in US. On an equivalent dose basis, produces serum FSH that are somewhat slower to rise than with the use of hMG preparations, but which are ultimately higher: in other words, follicles and serum estradiol levels take a little longer to respond than they do to Humegon, but the number of mature, preovulatory follicles available for egg retrieval is the same or more. Professor Jansen, medical director of SIVF, notes that 200 U (units) of Puregon per day produces a similar result to 225 U of Humegon or Metrodin. Generically known as follitropin beta.