Follicular fluid cyclic nucleotides, prostaglandin E2, leukotriene B4, oestradiol, progesterone and luteinizing hormone in women stimulated by clomiphene and gonadotropins.

The concentrations of cyclic AMP, cyclic GMP, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), leukotriene B4 (LTB4) oestradiol, progesterone and luteinizing hormone (LH) were determined in 30 follicular fluid samples from 25 women in an IVF programme. Multiple follicular development was induced by clomiphene citrate and human menopausal gonadotropin. Laparoscopic aspiration of follicular fluid was performed 36 hours after injection of human chorionic gonadotropin. The mean concentration of LH was significantly lower (p less than 0.05) in the follicular fluid with ova developing to embryos that cleaved than in those without cleavage. The mean concentrations of cAMP, cGMP, PGE2, LTB4, oestradiol and progesterone were not significantly different. PGE2 and LH concentrations in the follicular fluids showed significant correlation (r = 0.56; p = 0.004). Significant correlation was also seen between cAMP and progesterone concentrations (r = 0.50; p = 0.006). The presence of cyclic nucleotides, PGE2 and LTB4 in human follicular fluid suggests that these factors may have a role in the function of the follicular fluid.