Successful pregnancy in a patient having high basal serum levels of sex steroid hormones

A 25-year-old infertile woman who had higher basal levels of serum progesterone (P) and estradiol (E2) was examined. Ultrasonography and gonadotropin-releasing hormone test suggested polycystic ovarian syndrome. The high serum E2 and P concentration increased even more along follicle growth and after ovulation, respectively. Although the source of the higher levels of steroids was unclear, she became pregnant with artificial insemination of husband's sperm and luteal support with human chorionic gonadotropin administration, and delivered a healthy newborn. Through the present study, we can conclude that the high basal level of P in follicular phase may not always impair reproduction, although several reports stress that it adversely affects oocyte maturation and fertilization, and is harmful to endometrial receptivity.