Progesterone profiles in luteal-phase defects associated with recurrent spontaneous abortions

Purpose: Histologically documented luteal-phase defects (LPD) have been detected in 20-40% of women with recurrent spontaneous abortions. In 28 patients with recurrent spontaneous abortions, luteal-phase serum progesterone (P) levels (days 19, 21, 23, 25) and endometrial biopsies were evaluated. Methods: On the basis of endometrial biopsy findings, the patients were separated into two groups: Group 1, recurrent spontaneous abortions with LPDs (n = 18); and Group 2, recurrent spontaneous abortions with normal biopsies (n = 7). The data are shown in the table below. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that the P values found in Group I were significantly lower than those in Group 2, almost throughout the luteal phase. The results also indicate a close relationship between the P profile in the luteal phase and endometrial biopsy.