[Correlation between serum prolactin secretion patterns and the ability of fertilization and cleavage of human oocyte (effects of transient hyperprolactinemia on fertilization and cleavage of human oocyte)].
To assess the effect of serum prolactin (PRL) on the fertilization and cleavage of oocytes, its secretion patterns in normoprolactinemic women (28 cases, 35 cycles) who had undergone IVF-ET because of bilateral tubal occlusion and/or severe oligospermia, and the relationship between its levels and the fertilization and cleavage rate were studied. Three serum PRL secretion patterns were observed. In the TIP-O (Transient Increase in serum PRL in the Ovulatory phase) group (7 cycles), the serum PRL was significantly increased in the ovulatory phase compared with the follicular phase. In the TIP-OL (TIP at the Ovulatory and mid-Luteal phase) group (11 cycle), it was significantly increased in both the ovulatory and the mid-Luteal phases, but in the NON-TIP group (17 cycles) there was no significant increase in any phase. The fertilization rate of the TIP-OL group (60.0%) was lower than that of the NON-TIP Group (89.5%) and the TIP-O group (87.5%). The cleavage rate of the TIP-O group (50.0%) was rather lower, and that of TIP-OL group (30.0%) was significantly (p less than 0.05) lower than that of the NON-TIP group (78.9%). These results suggest that transient increase in serum PRL may suppress the ability of fertilization and cleavage of human oocytes.