Corpus luteum function after follicle aspiration for oocyte retrieval

Follicle aspiration for in vitro fertilization is associated with a statistical disruption of the luteal phase. The severity of the disruption seems to be in relation to the vigorousness and the number of aspirations and therefore the number of granulosa cells that are dislodged from the membrana granulosa layer. Although the statistical importance of this disruption from a biologic point of view does not seem to be significant, as measured by the length of the luteal phase, an analysis of individual cases must be made in order to determine the frequency with which a biologically significant luteal defect may be produced. At the present time, it seems that the fewer the granulosa cells removed at aspiration, the less the luteal disruption will be. The effect of the surgical trauma and anesthesia that should be constant throughout the series is discounted as an important factor in inducing luteal dysfunction.