Prediction and Detection of Ovulation for Insemination: Correlation of Ultrasonic, Clinical and Endocrinologic Results

Ovulation is estimated by currently accepted methods using both cervical mucus changes and basal body temperature for women who receive artificial insemination either by husband (AIH) or by donor (AID). This clinical management benefits from the knowledge of exact stage of follicular growth. An exciting new development is the application of diagnostic ultrasound to the monitoring of follicular development on spontaneous cycles (Hackeloer et al., 1979; Hall et al., 1979) and during induction of ovulation (Hackeloer et al., 1979; Ylostalo et al., 1979). This non-invasive technique causes no potential harm to an early conceptus and, results are immediate. This chapter compares ultrasonic, clinical and endocrinologic evaluation of follicular growth in women receiving artificial insemination.