Is the Diurnal Variation in Circulating Levels of Cortisol Reflected in Follicular Fluid of Preovulatory Follicles Close to Ovulation?

Inclusion criteria

• Indication for IVF / ICSI - treatment

• Age ≥ 18 years and ≤ 35 years
• Body weight: 19 - 29 kg/m2
• Ovarian reserve parameters in the adequate age - range, determined by Anti-Muellerian-Hormone (AMH) and Antral Follicle Count (AFC) (Shebl 2011, Hamdine 2015)
• Regular cycle (25-35 days)

Exclusion criteria

• Age < 18 years and > 35 years

• Body weight < 60 kg and > 90 kg
• Ovarian reserve parameters outside the adequate age - range, determined by Anti-Muellerian-Hormone (AMH) and Antral Follicle Count (AFC) (Shebl 2011, Hamdine 2015)
• Proven poor responder in preceding IVF-treatment-cycle, according to the Bologna criteria: at least two of the following three features must be present:

(i) Advanced maternal age (≥40 years) or any other risk factor for POR (poor ovarian response) (ii) A previous POR (≤3 oocytes with a conventional stimulation protocol) (iii) An abnormal ovarian reserve test (i.e. AFC < 5-7 follicles or AMH < 0.5 -1.1 ng/ml)

• Two episodes of POR after maximal stimulation are sufficient to define a patient as a poor responder in the absence of advanced maternal age or abnormal ORT
• Diagnosis of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), according to Rotterdam criteria
• Endometriosis stage 3 or 4 AFS (American Fertility Society)
• Irregular cycle (< 25 days and > 35 days)
• Treatment with GnRH-analogues during the previous 6 months
• Intake of contraceptive pill (OCP) or any hormonal treatment during the last 3 months