Urinary steroid profile in early pregnancy after in vitro fertilization

Objective. The aim of the study was to compare the levels of urinary steroid metabolites of patients with successful in vitro fertilization and patients who failed to achieve pregnancy. Design. Comparison of urinary steroid profiles prior to oocyte pick-up and three weeks after embryo transfer. Setting. University hospital. Sample. Eleven women in the same age range with pregnancy after in vitro fertilization and eleven women who failed to achieve pregnancy. Methods. The standard “long” protocol was used for ovarian stimulation and intracytoplasmic sperm injection for assisted in vitro fertilization. The steroid metabolites in urine samples collected for 24 h were determined by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Main outcome measures. Steroid metabolite levels in urine samples determined in the early pregnancy period. Results. The levels of androsterone, etiocholanolone, pregnanediol, tetrahydro-11-dehydrocorticosterone and tetrahydro-corticosterone were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the urine of women with successful pregnancy three weeks after the embryo transfer, while the levels of tetrahydrocortisone, tetrahydrocortisol, allo-tetrahydrocortisol and α-cortolone became higher in the group of patients with unsuccessful pregnancy. Conclusions. The production of androgens, progesterone and corticoid steroid metabolites is altered in the early pregnancy period after in vitro fertilization.