Efficacy of a single injection of human chorionic gonadotropin at peak follicular maturation in natural cycles on pregnancy rate and mid-luteal hormonal and sonographic parameters.

PURPOSE: To discover if infertile women with presumed luteal phase deficiency would improve pregnancy rates, mid-luteal sera estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P), and increase the percentage of women achieving a mid-luteal sonographic homogeneous hyperechogenic endometrial texture by the addition of a single injection of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Women with over one year of infertility with regular menses and with no other known infertility factor were presumed to have the need for extra P in the luteal phase based on previous studies. Women aged ≥ 30 years were selected along with women 200 pg/ml. Seven days after ovulation, sera E2 and P were measured along with endometrial thickness and echo patterns. RESULTS: The only significant difference between groups was an increased mid-luteal serum E2 in the group receiving additional hCG. However, this did not result in an increased pregnancy rate. CONCLUSIONS: In general, adding a single injection of hCG to P luteal support does not improve pregnancy rates in natural cycles where women were treated with supplemental P.