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PubMed1997

Relationships of hormonal patterns and fertility to occurrence of two or three waves of ovarian follicles, before and after breeding, in beef cows and heifers.

Ovarian follicular waves were characterized before and after breeding in 52 lactating beef cows and 16 heifers. Effects of two (2 W) or three (3 W) waves of follicular development and associated patterns of concentrations of steroids in jugular serum on pregnancy rate were examined. Animals were observed for oestrus (= day 0) twice daily and inseminated artificially at second oestrus. Follicular development was monitored by ultrasonography and jugular blood samples were collected simultaneously on alternate days from day 6 after first oestrus until ovulation after the second oestrus and from day 6 after second oestrus (insemination) until next ovulation or day 24 of pregnancy. Pregnancy was determined by ultrasonography at 25 days after insemination. From individual patterns of growth or regression of the largest follicles, more of the 59 animals with oestrous cycles of 17 to 25 days had 2 W (51, 86%) than 3 W (8, 14%) during the oestrous cycle before breeding (P < 0.01). Cycles averaged 1.1 days longer (P < 0.10) and corpora lutea regressed later (P < 0.01) in animals with 3 W vs. those with 2 W, but mean oestradiol between 7 and 2 days before second oestrus (3.7 +/- 0.3 pg ml-1) did not differ between cycles with 2 W or 3 W. Ovulatory follicles in animals with 2 W differed from those with 3 W (P < 0.05) in day of detection (12.3 +/- 0.3 vs 16.5 +/- 0.5), growth rate (1.0 +/- 0.1 vs 1.5 +/- 0.1 mm day-1), interval from detection to ovulation (9.3 +/- 0.3 vs 6.3 +/- 0.7 days) and duration of dominance (4.0 +/- 0.2 vs 2.1 +/- 0.6 days). Pregnancy rates, 82% in cows with 2 W and 100% in cows with 3 W, did not differ (P > 0.05). During the period equivalent to an oestrous cycle after breeding, 29 (49%) of the 59 animals had 2 W and 30 (51%) had 3 W. Fewer animals with 2 W than 3 W after breeding became pregnant (16/23, 70% vs 26/27, 96%; P < 0.05), but patterns of concentrations of progesterone on days 6 through 14 or mean oestradiol on day 14 (2.6 +/- 0.2 pg ml-1) did not differ. In conclusion, fewer animals had 3 W than 2 W before breeding and fertility did not differ. During the equivalent of one oestrous cycle after breeding, approximately equal numbers of animals had 2 W or 3 W and fertility was greater for animals with 3 W.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

DNase I and II present in avian oocytes: a possible involvement in sperm degradation at polyspermic fertilisation.

During polyspermic fertilisation in birds numerous spermatozoa enter the eggs, in contrast to the situation in mammals where fertilisation is monospermic. However, in birds only one of the spermatozoa which have entered an egg participates in zygote nucleus formation, while the supernumerary spermatozoa degenerate at early embryogenesis. Our previous work has demonstrated the presence in preovulatory quail oocytes of DNase I and II activities able to digest naked lambdaDNA/HindIII substrate in vitro. In the present studies, the activities of both DNases in quail oocytes at different stages of oogenesis and in ovulated mouse oocytes were assayed in vitro using the same substrate. Degradation of quail spermatozoa by quail oocyte extracts was also checked. Digestion of the DNA substrate was evaluated by electrophoresis on agarose gels. The activities of DNase I and II in quail oocytes increased during oogenesis and were the highest in mature oocytes. The activities were present not only in germinal discs but also in a thin layer of cytoplasm adhering to the perivitelline layer surrounding the yolk. At all stages of oogenesis the activity of DNase II was much higher than that of DNase I. DNA contained in spermatozoa was also degraded by the quail oocyte extracts under conditions optimal for both DNases. In contrast to what is observed in quail oocytes, no DNase activities were detected in ovulated mouse eggs; this is logical as they would be useless or even harmful in monospermic fertilisation. The possible role of DNase activities in avian oocytes, in degradation of accessory spermatozoa during polyspermic fertilisation, is discussed.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Reliability of home urinary LH tests for timing of insemination: a consumer's study.

In this study, intrauterine insemination (IUI) was timed either after the detection of a urinary luteinizing hormone (LH) surge at home by the patient (group A), or following a positive LH test as interpreted by the gynaecologist (group B). Afterwards, samples tested by the patient were retested by the gynaecologist and vice versa. The gynaecologist also rechecked his own findings and the results were correlated with ultrasound data and charts of basal body temperature. Forty-seven cycles were evaluated. The patient's and the gynaecologist's readings agreed (+/- 12 h) in 42 of the cases (89%), and in five cycles (11%) a difference greater than 24 h was found. The intra-observer variation in the gynaecologist's results was +/- 12 h in four cycles (8.5%). These findings suggest that the LH test can be used as a reliable home device for the prediction of pending ovulation and timing of IUI.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Deslorelin on Day 8 or 12 postovulation does not luteinize follicles during an artificially maintained diestrous phase in the mare.

Practical estrus synchronization schemes are needed for mares. The Ovsynch synchronization protocol for cattle involves the administration of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) to induce ovulation or luteinization of dominant follicles during the luteal phase and prostaglandin 7 days later to cause regression of any luteal tissue and development of a preovulatory follicle. An Ovsynch-type synchronization program potentially could be developed for horses if luteinization or ovulation of diestrous follicles occurred in response to GnRH treatment. The objective of this study was to determine if administration of the GnRH agonist, deslorelin acetate, on Day 8 or 12 postovulation would induce luteinization or ovulation of diestrous follicles in the mare. The model used was cycling mares maintained in an artificial luteal phase by administration of a synthetic progestin following prostaglandin-induced luteal regression. On the day of ovulation, 21 light horse mares were randomly assigned to one of three groups: (1) no GnRH, altrenogest from Days 5 to 15 postovulation with prostaglandin on Day 15; (2) GnRH on Day 8, altrenogest from Days 5 to 15 with prostaglandin given on Day 6 to induce luteolysis of the primary corpus luteum, an implant containing 2.1mg of deslorelin acetate inserted on Day 8 and removed on Day 10, with a second prostaglandin treatment on Day 15; (3) GnRH on Day 12, altrenogest from Days 9 to 19, prostaglandin on Day 10, a deslorelin acetate implant injected on Day 12 (subsequently removed on Day 14), and a second dose of prostaglandin administered on Day 19. Follicular development was monitored every other day from Day 5 until a 30-mm sized follicle was observed, and then daily to detection of ovulation. Serum progesterone concentrations were determined daily for 12 consecutive days. Progesterone concentrations in Group 1 remained elevated until approximately Day 12 postovulation. Prostaglandin administration on Day 15 resulted in complete luteolysis in all seven mares. In Group 2, progesterone concentrations in six of seven mares declined to baseline after prostaglandin treatment. No increase in serum progesterone was noted in any of the six mares that were given GnRH on Day 8, including three mares that had diestrous follicles > or =30mm in diameter at the time of treatment. Similarly, progesterone concentrations in six of seven mares in Group 3 declined to baseline after prostaglandin and there was no increase in progesterone after administration of GnRH on Day 12. No ultrasound evidence of luteinization or ovulation of diestrous follicles were noted after GnRH administration in any mares of Group 2 or 3. In conclusion, administration of the GnRH agonist deslorelin acetate to mares failed to induce luteinization or ovulation of diestrous follicles. Consequently, the Ovsynch program (as used in cattle) has little efficacy for synchronization of estrus in mares.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Muscle strength and endurance do not significantly vary across 3 phases of the menstrual cycle in moderately active premenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate muscle strength and muscle endurance in women during 3 well-determined phases of the menstrual cycle: early follicular phase, ovulation phase, and midluteal phase. DESIGN: Prospective, within-woman analysis was performed of muscle strength and muscle endurance by repeated measures analysis of variance in 3 hormonally verified phases of 2 consecutive menstrual cycles. PARTICIPANTS: Fifteen female subjects with moderate physical activity level and regular menstrual cycles volunteered to participate in the study. Analyses are based on 10 subjects who completed 2 consecutive menstrual cycles with hormonally verified phases. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Handgrip strength, 1-leg hop test, isokinetic muscle strength, and muscle endurance were measured in 2 consecutive menstrual cycles in the early follicular phase, in the ovulation phase, and in the midluteal phase. Isokinetic muscle strength and endurance were tested with knee extension exercise on a standard instrument. Menstrual cycle phases were determined by analysis of sex hormone levels in serum, and ovulation was detected by luteinizing hormone surge in urine. RESULTS: No significant variation in muscle strength or muscle endurance could be detected during different well-determined phases of the menstrual cycle. CONCLUSIONS: This study detected no significant variation in muscle strength and muscle endurance during the menstrual cycle. In contrast to other studies showing variations in strength and endurance during the menstrual cycle, the present study was hormonally validated and was repeated in 2 consecutive menstrual cycles. However, it is unknown whether these data in moderately active university students would be relevant to the highly trained woman athlete.

Adult↗

PubMed1989

Validity of the Bioself 110 fertility indicator.

The Bioself 110 (Bioself Canada, Inc., Montréal, Québec, Canada) is an electronic computerized thermometer designed to identify the fertile and infertile phases of the menstrual cycle. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the validity of the device by comparing it with a reference method, the Ovustick (Monoclonal Antibodies, Inc., Mountain View, CA) luteinizing hormone (LH) surge detection kit. The Bioself 110 identified the 6-day fertile period in 86.4% of 220 cycles studied and 5 fertile days in 93.2%. The Bioself 110 correctly identified the postovulatory infertile phase in 93.3% of 178 cycles. On average, the device identified 10.9 fertile days and 10.6 postovulatory "safe" days per cycle. It was concluded the device would be a useful aid to couples trying to conceive or prevent pregnancy.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

Screening infertile women for the assessment of corpus luteal function and their response to therapy by ELISA of pregnanediol glucuronide.

Corpus luteal function was assessed by estimating pregnanediol 3-alpha-glucuronide (PdG) in three midluteal-phase urine samples collected from 85 women attending the infertility clinic. The previously established cut off limits based on PdG estimations were useful in detecting anovulation in 23 cases, corpus luteal adequacy in 42 cases and corpus luteum deficiency (CLD) in 20 cases. In 8 women CLD could be corrected with 50 mg of clomiphene citrate (CC) therapy whereas 6 women required 100 mg of CC and 3 pregnancies were achieved. This rapid screening method is thus useful in segregating a large number of women according to their ovulatory status and in the subsequent treatment of CLD.

Clomiphene↗

PubMed2004

[Sonographic evaluation of endometrial preparation with oral estrogen-progesterone substitution before cryogenic embryo transfer].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the changes of sonographic features of endometrium throughout natural and artificial cycles in which oral estrogen-progesterone substitution were used in the same group of patients and discuss their clinical significance. DESIGN: A prospective study. SETTING: Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital, Olomouc. METHODS: In 24 women with regular menstrual cycle ovulation was detected (LH, sonography) and the following sonographic features: endometrial thickness, echogenity and pulsatility index (PI) of uterine artery were evaluated in the late proliferative, early and mid secretory phase. The same sonographic examination was performed in the artificial cycle with oral estrogen-progesterone substitution used for endometrial preparation for transfer of cryopreserved-thawed embryos. RESULTS: In the late proliferative phase of the natural cycle the thickness of endometrium was higher than in the arteficial cycle (p=0.05). Triple-line echogenity prevailed in both cycles. The PI in natural cycle was lower (p=0.01) on the side of the growing Graafian follicle compared to the other side and lower (p=0.05) than in the artificial cycle. In the secretory phase there were no differences in endometrial thickness within cycles. Homogenous hyperechoic endometrium prevailed in both cycles and the lowest PI was found on the 7th day both after ovulation and after initiation of progesterone substitution. CONCLUSION: Progesterone addition after endometrial preparation with estrogen should be instituted when the endometrium thickness reached at least 9mm and isoechoic or triple line echogenity is found.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed2001

Prediction of the potentially fertile period by urinary hormone measurements using a new home-use monitor: comparison with laboratory hormone analyses.

BACKGROUND: The study compared a new urinary hormone monitoring system, Clearview Primera Fertility Monitor (CPFM), with laboratory hormone analyses in the prediction of the potentially fertile period. METHODS: Thirty healthy female volunteers provided blood and early morning urine samples for one cycle. Serum oestradiol, progesterone and luteinizing hormone (LH), and urinary LH and oestrone-3-glucuronide (E3G) were measured. The fertility status of volunteers; Low, High or Peak, was collected from monitors and compared with the hormone measurements. RESULTS: There was agreement between the first day of peak fertility and the urinary LH peak day in 65.6% of cycles and detection 1 or 2 days before the urinary LH peak day in 24.1 and 6.9% of cycles respectively. In 58.6% of cycles the system detected up to 5 days of increased fertility prior to the urinary LH peak day. Warning days of the urinary LH peak were similarly determined using defined thresholds of E3G and oestradiol providing up to 5 days warning in 82.8 and 96.6% of cycles respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The system can provide couples attempting to conceive with information about the potentially fertile days in the cycle in order that they may time intercourse. It also has potential for use in evaluation and treatment of infertile couples.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Embryo recovery and pregnancy rates after the delay of ovulation and fixed time insemination in superstimulated beef cows.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of delaying ovulation subsequent to superstimulation of follicular growth in beef cows (Bos indicus) on embryo recovery rates and the capacity of embryos to establish pregnancies. Ovulation was delayed by three treatments using either progesterone (CIDR-B) or a GnRH agonist (deslorelin). Multiparous Nelore cows (n = 24) received three of four superstimulation treatments in an incomplete block design (n = 18 per group). Cows in Groups CTRL, P48 and P60 were treated with a CIDR-B device plus estradiol benzoate (EB, 4 mg, i.m.) on Day-5, while cows in Group D60 were implanted with deslorelin on Day-7. Cows were superstimulated with FSH (Folltropin-V, 200 mg), from Day 0 to 3, using twice daily injections in decreasing amounts. All cows were treated with a luteolytic dose of prostaglandin on Day 2 (08:00 h). CIDR-B devices were removed as follows: Group CTRL, Day 2 (20:00 h); Group P48, Day 4 (08:00 h); Group P60, Day 4 (20:00 h). Cows in Group CTRL were inseminated at 10, 20 and 30 h after first detected estrus. Ovulation was induced for cows in Group P48 (Day 4, 08:00 h) and Groups P60 and D60 (Day 4, 20:00 h) by injection of LH (Lutropin, 25 mg, i.m.), and these cows were inseminated 10 and 20 h after treatment with LH. Embryos were recovered on Days 11 or 12, graded and transferred to synchronized recipients. Pregnancies were determined by ultrasonography around Day 100. Data were analyzed by mixed procedure, Kruskal-Wallis and Chi-square tests. The number of ova/embryos, transferable embryos (mean +/- SEM) and pregnancy rates (%) were as follows, respectively: Group CTRL (10.8+/-1.8, 6.1+/-1.3, 51.5), P48 (12.6+/-1.9, 7.1+/-1.0, 52.3), P60 (10.5+/-1.6, 5.7+/-1.3, 40.0) and D60 (10.3+/-1.7, 5.0+/-1.2, 50.0). There were no significant differences among the groups (P > 0.05). It was concluded that fixed time AI in association with induced ovulation did not influence embryo recovery. Furthermore, pregnancy rates in embryos recovered from cows with delayed ovulation were similar to those in embryos obtained from cows treated with a conventional superstimulation protocol.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

A comparison of adrenal gland function in lactating dairy cows with or without ovarian follicular cysts.

Two experiments were conducted to determine if adrenal secretion of steroids differed between cows that formed ovarian follicular cysts and normal cycling cows. In experiment 1, lactating Jersey and Holstein cows were diagnosed as having ovarian follicular cysts (follicle diameter >or=20 mm) by rectal palpation. Following diagnosis, ovaries were examined by transrectal ultrasonography three times weekly to detect subsequent ovulation (n=8) or new cyst formation (n=9). Venous blood samples were collected daily to quantify circulating concentrations of cortisol and progesterone. The average concentration of cortisol during the 10-day period prior to ovulation was not different from the concentration prior to the formation of a new cyst. In experiment 2, secretion of cortisol and progesterone was examined in cows with ovarian follicular cysts (n=4) and cyclic, control cows in the follicular phase of the estrous cycle (n=4). An adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) challenge was administered to cystic cows 4-7 days after new cyst formation and to cyclic cows in the follicular phase of the cycle (36 h after induction of luteolysis). Jugular venous blood samples were collected at -60, -30, 0, +10, +20, +30, +60, +90, +120, +180, +240, +300 and +360 minutes relative to ACTH administration. A rapid increase in both cortisol and progesterone was observed immediately following administration of ACTH in each treatment group. Peak concentrations of both steroids were achieved within 60 minutes after administration of ACTH. Concentrations of cortisol and progesterone did not differ between cystic and cyclic cows. In summary, no differences in adrenal function were detected between normal cycling cows and cows with ovarian follicular cysts.

Adrenal Glands↗

PubMed1997

Use of an immunoenzymatic assay to detect the luteinizing hormone peak in bitches.

The success of artificial insemination with fresh chilled or frozen semen depends on the time of insemination. Determination of oestrous behaviour, use of vaginal smears or measurement of the vaginal resistivity are unreliable techniques and interpretation of the dosages of progesterone may be critical as it may vary from one laboratory to another. The plasma concentration of LH displays a peak of secretion that can be a good reference to date the events of the ovarian cycle. The plasma concentration of LH was measured in ten bitches by a new sandwich immunoenzymatic assay (Reprokit, Sanofi) and results were compared with the vaginal smears and plasma concentrations of progesterone. The LH peak was easily detected and lasted 3.3 days with maximum values ranging from 10 to 22 ng ml-1. At the time of the peak, the vaginal smears displayed features of pro-oestrus and the plasma concentration of progesterone was 2.9 ng ml-1. This immunoenzymatic assay, already used for many species, is an effective tool for determining the time of the LH peak. Added to the study of the progesterone concentration, it may help to determine the optimal time for artificial inseminations, particularly when frozen semen is used.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

4-hour urinary and serum immunofluorimetric assay for luteinizing hormone to detect onset of preovulatory LH surge.

The initial surge of LH is an important preovulatory event. The validity of a time-resolved immunofluorimetric assay method for determining LH both on the samples of serum and urine are reported in our study. A good correlation exists between the serum and urinary LH with the presence of a shorter interval in the length of the LH increase in the urinary dosage in respect to the serum dosage. There emerges when comparing the RIA and IFMA techniques that a good correlation exists both in the urinary and in the serum samples. However the values found with the IFMA method are on the average inferior (ca. 50%) in respect to those obtained with the RIA technique.

Activity Cycles↗

PubMed1989

Follicular growth and corpus luteum function in women with unexplained infertility, monitored by ultrasonography and measurement of daily salivary progesterone.

Ovarian function was evaluated over a minimum of 3 consecutive menstrual cycles from each of 41 women with unexplained infertility. Follicular development and ovulation were monitored using real time ultrasonography and luteal function was evaluated by daily salivary progesterone measurement. In 129 spontaneous cycles, normal single ovulations were detected in 121 (93.8%). Luteal phase insufficiency was identified in 21 (17.4%) of these 121 cycles and this was a recurrent phenomenon in the cycles of 5 of the 41 women (12.2%). A successful pregnancy was seen only in association with consistently normal salivary progesterone profiles or where the empirical use of clomiphene citrate therapy had corrected previously diagnosed luteal phase insufficiency. Basal body temperature records or mid-luteal serum progesterone measurements were less satisfactory indices of luteal function than a salivary progesterone profile.

Adult↗

PubMed1986

Inaccuracy of basal body temperature charts in predicting urinary luteinizing hormone surges.

Sixty basal body temperature (BBT) charts were reviewed by three reproductive endocrinologists in an attempt retrospectively to predict the urinary luteinizing hormone (LH) surge. LH surges had been previously detected in all cycles with the use of a commercially available monoclonal antibody kit, Ovustick (Monoclonal Antibodies, Inc., Mountain View, CA). Surges were correctly predicted to the day (day 0) 18.3% to 30.0% of the time, to within 1 day on either side of day 0 56.7% to 70.0% of the time, to within 2 days 83.3% to 98.3% of the time, and to within 3 days 96.7% to 98.3% of the time. The BBT remains an inaccurate predictor of the day of the LH surge but does provide a reasonably accurate guide to the 2- to 3-day period on either side of the surge.

Body Temperature↗

PubMed1984

Human in vitro fertilization in a private program: Reproductive Genetics in Vitro, P.C.

Reproductive Genetics in Vitro, P.C., began a program of human in vitro fertilization in a private practice setting in September of 1982, after nearly 1 year of preparation prior to the cycling of the first patient. Ovarian stimulation is most often by Clomid, 50 mg tid, on days 3 through 9 of the cycle. Follicle development is monitored by daily ultrasound, estradiol, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) measurements. Serum progesterone measurements are made the last few days prior to anticipated ovulation to detect early signs of luteinization. In the first phase of our program 12 patients with pure tubal obstruction have had one or more oocytes retrieved by laparoscopy. All oocytes fertilized such that every patient who had oocytes retrieved had embryos placed in the uterus. Of the first 12 patients who had embryo placement, 2 are ongoing and normal in the second trimester of pregnancy, with delivery expected shortly after the first issue of this journal. Five others showed early signs of clinical pregnancy as indicated by acentrically located gestational sacs (as opposed to the typical centrally located pseudogestational sac) or transiently elevated human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG).

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Prospective European multi-center study of natural family planning (1989-1992): interim results. The European Natural Family Planning Study Groups.

Since 1989 an international multicenter prospective study to evaluate the effectiveness and acceptability of natural family planning (NFP) methods in Europe has been conducted by the NFP Research Center at the University of Düsseldorf in collaboration with the European Zone of the International Federation for Family Life Promotion (IFFLP). Fourteen NFP-organizations from nine European countries participate in the study. Cycle data from women in the fertile age group are transferred to a special standard computer sheet by the respective organizations and forwarded at three-monthly intervals to the study center for analyses. To date, 10,045 cycles from 900 women aged between 19 and 54 years have been analyzed. This paper presents the pregnancy rate for the women aged between 19 and 45 years of age, who contributed 9284 cycles. In the analyses the cycles were subdivided into two categories consequent to sexual practices during the fertile phase: group I (NFP only--4277 cycles) use only NFP to avoid a pregnancy; group II (FA/mix--5007 cycles) where barrier methods or coitus interruptus during the fertile phase, at least in some cycles, were used to avoid a pregnancy. The women used different clinical indicators such as basal body temperature (BBT), cervical mucus, calculations, cyclical cervical changes or combinations of these to determine the beginning and the end of the fertile phase necessitating a further division into four subgroups, A, B, C, D, and different efficiency rates for each of these groups. In group A (symptothermal method, double check) 15 unintended pregnancies (UIP) occurred in 7404 cycles, giving a pregnancy rate of 2.4 Pearl Index (PI); in group B (muco-thermal method) there were 12 UIP in 1352 cycles with a pregnancy rate of 10.6 (PI); in group C (mucus to detect the beginning and mucus and BBT to determine the end of the fertile phase) there was one UIP in 434 cycles, and in group D (mucus method only) there was one IUP in 70 cycles. The numbers in group C and D are too small to calculate a pregnancy rate (PI). No pregnancy was observed in women over 40 years of age. Our conclusion from these preliminary results is that in the continent of Europe, the symptothermal method when used with periodic abstinence (NFP only = group I) and fertility awareness with the use of barriers during the fertile phase (FA/mix = group II) are effective methods of family planning.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Evaluation of the Lady Free Biotester in determining the fertile period.

Small hand-held microscopes have been developed for self-observation of salivary ferning patterns to detect the fertile time of a woman's menstrual cycle. The purpose of this study was to evaluate one such microscope, the Lady Free Biotester, by comparing it with the self-observation of cervical-vaginal mucus and with the self-detection of luteinizing hormone (LH) in the urine. Twelve natural family planning teachers (average age 34.6 years) observed their cervical-vaginal mucus, tested their urine for LH, and observed salivary and cervical-vaginal mucus ferning patterns (with the Lady Free Biotester) for two menstrual cycles. Data indicated that there was a strong correlation between the LH in the urine and the peak in self-observed cervical-vaginal mucus ferning (r = 0.99, p < or = 0.001) and salivary ferning (r = 0.98, p < or = 0.001). However, it was difficult to assess the beginning and end of the fertile time based on the salivary ferning patterns. Further testing of salivary ferning patterns is recommended before widespread use of these devices for family planning.

Adult↗