The effects of serum concentration of androgens, LH and IGF1 in early follicular phase on follicular growth parameters and pregnancy rate

Objective: Many studies have showed the role of androgens on the follicular maturation. The present study investigated the effect of serum concentration of androgens, LH and IGF1 in the early follicular phase on the results of the ovulation induction (I/O) and intrauterine insemination (IUI) cycles. Materials and methods: This prospective observational cross-sectional study was carried out in the infertility department of a university hospital in Tehran, Iran. The case’s selection was based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria and was nonrandomized. 59 patients under the age of 45 who were candidate for induction ovulation (I/O) or intrauterine insemination were included. The inclusion criteria consist of infertility for at least one year and at least one open tube in HSG. Patients were excluded if they had polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or endometriosis. The serum concentration of androgens (testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone and androstenedione), LH and IGF1 was measured on the third day of menstruation. Clomiphene and human menopausal gonadotropin (HMG) were drugs of induction ovulation. Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) was injected when there was at least one follicle with the size of (18 mm). IUI was done 36 h later for eligible patients and the relation of concentration of androgens, LH and IGF1 with follicular growth parameters and pregnancy rate was analyzed. Results: There was not any statistical significant link between the number and size of follicles with levels of free testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone, androstenedione, IGF1 and LH. There was not any statistical significant link between the number of follicles in the ovaries and levels of testosterone (P = 0.090 and r = 0.223), dehydroepiandrosterone (P = 0.642 and r = 0.062) and androstenedione (P = 0.526 and r = 0.084), IGF1 (P = 0.470 and r = 0.096) and LH (P = 0.446 and r = 0.102). There was not any statistical significant link between the mean follicular size with levels of testosterone (P = 0.822 and r = 0.03), dehydroepiandrosterone (P = 0.733 and r = 0.045) and androstenedione (P = 0.526 and r = 0.084), IGF1 (P = 0.799 and r = 0.034) and LH (P = 0.626 and r = 0.065). Beta Human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-hCG) was positive in 11 patients (18.6%) and negative in 48 patients (81.4%). Serum level of androgen profile, LH and IGF1 in positive BHCG group was lower than negative BHCG group but was not significantly different. Conclusion: It seems that in women who were not affected by PCO, concentration of free testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone, androstenedione, IGF1 and LH in early follicular phase was not related to follicular growth parameters and pregnancy rate.