Laboratory tests in assisted reproductive technologies

Infertility is defined as the failure to achieve pregnancy after 12/24 months of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. Clinical and laboratory evaluations are required to find out the apparent determinants of infertility problem. Accurate diagnosis and effective therapy can facilitate achievement of fertility goals in many couples treated for infertility. Laboratory monitoring of the infertile couple include the female endocrinological assessment to evaluate the ovarian cycle physiology, the ovarian reserve, the thyroid function and others.Assisted reproductive technologies have become a common and accepted form of clinical care benefiting people of reproductive age who are subfertile or infertile. Traditional monitoring of ovarian hyperstimulation during assisted reproductive technologies treatment has included transvaginal ultrasonography plus the measurement of serum estradiol and progesterone levels to ensure safe practice by reducing the incidence and severity of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome whilst achieving the good ovarian response needed for assisted reproduction treatment. The need for combined monitoring (using ultrasonography and serum hormone determination) during ovarian stimulation in assisted reproduction is controversial.