Comparative analysis of progesterone and placental protein 14 measurements in the evaluation of luteal function

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of single or summed measurements of progesterone and placental protein 14, a progestin-dependent endometrial glycoprotein, in the evaluation of luteal function. STUDY DESIGN: Forty-five healthy women had daily blood measurements of luteinizing hormone, progesterone, and placental protein 14 during one menstrual cycle. RESULTS: Thirty-nine women had normal and six had deficient luteal function on the basis of serial progesterone determinations. Luteal insufficiency was not accurately diagnosed by single progesterone or placental protein 14 values or by integrated placental protein 14 measurements. In contrast, the condition was correctly identified in all but one cycle when the sum of progesterone on days 4 and 7 was < 49 nmol/L (15.4 ng/ml). A poor correlation was found between peak or integrated measurements of progesterone and placental protein 14. CONCLUSION: Measurement of serum progesterone, but not placental protein 14, on 2 days of the midluteal phase provides a convenient and reliable test of luteal function.