An analysis of the variation of plasma concentrations of placental protein 14 in artificial cycles

Objective To analyze the factors affecting the variation of plasma concentration of placental protein 14 (PP14) in artificial cycles. Design The effects of different hormone replacement therapy (HRT) regimens were examined in a crossover design. Setting Jessop Hospital for Women, Sheffield, United Kingdom. Patients Eighteen women with premature ovarian failure: 6 associated with Turner's syndrome and 12 with idiopathic premature ovarian failure. Interventions Four different HRT regimens; 36 study cycles. Main Outcome Measures Plasma PP14 concentrations on days 1, 15, 19, and 29 of the artificial cycles. Results In cycles treated with a standard HRT, the levels were similar to those of the natural cycle. Subjects with Turner's syndrome did not have elevated PP14 levels, whereas the majority 9 12 75 % of those with idiopathic premature ovarian failure had elevated levels on day 29 of the cycle. Levels of PP14 were reduced when either the doses of estradiol valerate were reduced to 1 3 or the doses of progesterone (P) were reduced to 1 5 of the standard HRT. Conclusions Plasma levels of PP14 are dependent not only on P stimulation but also on adequate estrogen priming.