Human corpus luteum function in normal and abnormal pregnancy states.

Overview

Investigators have shed new light on the precise manner by which human chorionic gonadotropin rescues and regulates corpus luteum function in normal and abnormal pregnancy states. It has also been shown using ultrasound that both an undetectable or shrinking corpus luteum volume are predictive of poor pregnancy outcomes. Ultrasound and transvaginal color Doppler sonographic findings do not, however, correlate with either progesterone or 17-hydroxyprogesterone serum levels and, therefore, these imaging modalities alone are not reflective of corpus luteum function in early pregnancy.