The Effect of Ethinyl Estradiol Administration During Early Follicular Phase of the Cycle on the Gonadotropin Levels and Ovarian Function

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Abstract
Treatment with ethinyl estradiol (EE, 200 or 400 μg/day) abolishes the early follicular rise of gonadotropin levels observed in control cycles. The effect of such manipulation on subsequent gonadotropin pattern and follicular as well as luteal function were monitored by the changes in serum concentrations of FSH, LH, 17β-estradiol (E2) and progesterone. During EE treatment, a significant decline in the gonadotropin levels was observed. This negative feedback effect appears to be greater for FSH than for LH which was followed by a significant rebound increase in LH but not FSH approximately 36 hours after cessation of treatment. This transient dynamic change in gonadotropin concentration was followed by a pattern which was strikingly similar to that observed in the normal ovulatory cycle. These changes in gonadotropin levels were associated with a disturbance of normal sequence of follicular maturation as reflected by the prolongation of the follicular phase and the delayed midcycle peaks of E2 and LH. The corpus luteum function, as judged by the duration of luteal phase and progesterone concentrations, was identical between treated and control cycles.

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