Research

Luteal blood flow and luteal function

Akihisa Takasaki² , Hiroshi Tamura¹ , Ken Taniguchi¹ , Hiromi Asada¹ , Toshiaki Taketani¹ , Aki Matsuoka¹ , Yoshiaki Yamagata¹ , Katsunori Shimamura² , Hitoshi Morioka² and Norihiro Sugino¹

¹  Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Minamikogushi 1-1-1, Ube, 755-8505 Japan

²  Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Saiseikai Shimonoseki General Hospital, Kifunecho 3-1-37, Shimonoseki, 751-0823, Japan

author email corresponding author email

Journal of Ovarian Research 2009, 2:1doi:10.1186/1757-2215-2-1

Published:	14 January 2009

Abstract

Background

Blood flow in the corpus luteum (CL) is associated with luteal function. The present study was undertaken to investigate whether luteal function can be improved by increasing CL blood flow in women with luteal phase defect (LFD).

Methods

Blood flow impedance in the CL was measured by transvaginal color-pulsed-Doppler-ultrasonography and was expressed as a resistance index (RI). The patients with both LFD [serum progesterone (P) concentrations < 10 ng/ml during mid-luteal phase] and high CL-RI (≥ 0.51) were given vitamin-E (600 mg/day, n = 18), L-arginine (6 g/day, n = 14) as a potential nitric oxide donor, melatonin (3 mg/day, n = 13) as an antioxidant, or HCG (2,000 IU/day, n = 10) during the subsequent menstrual cycle.

Results

In the control group (n = 11), who received no medication to increase CL blood flow, only one patient (9%) improved in CL-RI and 2 patients (18%) improved in serum P. Vitamin-E improved CL-RI in 15 patients (83%) and improved serum P in 12 patients (67%). L-arginine improved CL-RI in all the patients (100%) and improved serum P in 10 patients (71%). HCG improved CL-RI in all the patients (100%) and improved serum P in 9 patients (90%). Melatonin had no significant effect.

Conclusion

Vitamin-E or L-arginine treatment improved luteal function by decreasing CL blood flow impedance. CL blood flow is a critical factor for luteal function.