Effects of Steroid Hormone Levels on the Ultrasound Appearance of the Preovulatory Endometrium in Controlled Ovarian Hyperstimulation Cycles

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the effects of serum estradiol (E2) and progesterone levels on preovulatory endometrial thickness and echogenicity in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) cycles for in vitro fertilization (IVF). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, we evaluated the data of 241 in vitro fertilization- embryo transfer cycles. Cycles were classified into three groups according to endometrial thickness measured on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration as: i. ≤8 mm, ii. 8-14 mm, and iii. ≥14 mm. Echogenic patterns were described as trilaminar, isoechogenic, and hyperechogenic. Serum E2 and progesterone levels were evaluated on the day of hCG administration. Data were analyzed using X2test, Student’s t test and analysis of variance (ANOVA). RESULTS: Serum E2 levels increased in parallel with endometrial thickness, although differences among the three groups were insignificant. There was no correlation between serum progesterone levels and endometrial thickness. There was no significant difference in the steroid hormone concentrations between the echogenic patterns. CONCLUSION: Serum steroid hormone levels on the day of hCG administration do not affect the ultrasound appearance of the endometrium in COH cycles.