Dynamics of early estradiol production may be associated with outcomes of in vitro fertilization

This study investigated the effects of total E 2 production during controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) calculated by "modified area under the curve for E 2 (AUC-E 2 )" and of the changes in E 2 level during the initial stimulation period calculated as "slope of initial increase in E 2 (Sl-E 2 )" on the outcomes of IVF cycles using GnRH antagonist protocols. The findings suggest that the rate of initial increase in E 2 rather than total E 2 production during COS might affect the competence of retrieved oocytes in GnRH antagonist cycles.