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Using the oocyte donation model to identify early trophoblast pregnenolone production

  • ASSISTED REPRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES
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Abstract

Purpose

To investigate production of progesterone’s precursor, pregnenolone, in the early oocyte donation pregnancy.

Methods

Pregnenolone and progesterone were measured on luteal days 21, 28, 35, 60 and 80. Progesterone was measured via the Immulite system, pregnenolone by liquid chromatography separation with tandem mass spectrometric detection.

Results

Progesterone rose significantly from days 35 today 60. Pregnenolone likewise rose significantly from days 35–60, but at a much higher rate, with an increase of 57 % by day 60, 75 % to day 80. The increase in pregnenolone was statistically more significant than the increase in progesterone (p < .05).

Conclusions

This is the first report describing that progesterone’s precursor, pregnenolone, increases with time in the very early pregnancy. Because no corpus luteum is present in oocyte recipients, the main source of pregnenolone is the early placenta. Measurements of pregnenolone may provide information concerning early trophoblast function and may represent a method of assessing placental competency.

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Acknowledgement

The authors would like to acknowledge our compliance officer Lucy Lu for her work in obtaining institutional approval of this research.

Ms. Lu has given written permission for this acknowledgment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. NYU Fertility Center, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology, Department of OBGYN, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA

    Frederick Licciardi

  2. Division of Reproductive Endocrinology, Department of OBGYN, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA

    Orkun Tan

  3. Biostatistics, Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA

    Cheongeun Oh

Authors
  1. Frederick Licciardi
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  2. Orkun Tan
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  3. Cheongeun Oh
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Frederick Licciardi.

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Capsule

Measurable increases in progesterone’s precursor, pregnenolone, occur in the early oocyte donation pregnancy, indicating trophoblast as the source.

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Licciardi, F., Tan, O. & Oh, C. Using the oocyte donation model to identify early trophoblast pregnenolone production. J Assist Reprod Genet 30, 699–702 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-013-9986-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-013-9986-0

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