Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Vol 81, 1557-1562, Copyright © 1996 by Endocrine Society

ARTICLES

The control of ovulation in mothers of dizygotic twins

CP Gilfillan, DM Robertson, HG Burger, MA Leoni, VA Hurley and NG Martin
Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research, Victoria, Australia.

Dizygotic twinning is familial, suggesting that there may be an inherited abnormality of the control of ovulation that predisposes to double ovulation and, therefore, dizygotic twins. The present study examines 17 mothers of dizygotic twins (MODZT) and 8 control mothers of singletons by daily blood sampling throughout an entire menstrual cycle. Blood samples were assayed for LH, FSH, estradiol, progesterone, and inhibin. The process of follicular development was followed by transvaginal ultrasound. The pituitary LH response to iv GnRH was also assessed. Three of the 16 MODZT double ovulated during the study compared to none of the 8 control mothers (P < 0.05). The number of small follicles (<6 mm) declined significantly in control women at midcycle, but not in MODZT. There was no significant difference in serum FSH, LH, estradiol, or inhibin levels between the 2 groups at any stage of the menstrual cycle. During the follicular phase, serum progesterone levels were significantly higher in MODZT. The response to GnRH stimulation was not different between MODZT and controls. In conclusion, this study demonstrates an increased tendency to double ovulate in MODZT that may be due to a reduced rate of atresia in advanced follicles. Furthermore, the elevated progesterone levels in MODZT during the follicular phase suggest altered intrafollicular steroidogenesis that is independent of gonadotropins.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M.J. Lambers, S. Roek, L. Luttikhof, R. Schats, R. Homburg, P.G.A. Hompes, and C.B. Lambalk A family history of twinning in relation to multiple implantation Hum. Reprod., April 1, 2008; 23(4): 889 - 893. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. Hoekstra, Z. Z. Zhao, C. B. Lambalk, G. Willemsen, N. G. Martin, D. I. Boomsma, and G. W. Montgomery Dizygotic twinning Hum. Reprod. Update, January 1, 2008; 14(1): 37 - 47. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. S. Palmer, Z. Z. Zhao, C. Hoekstra, N. K. Hayward, P. M. Webb, D. C. Whiteman, N. G. Martin, D. I. Boomsma, D. L. Duffy, and G. W. Montgomery Novel Variants in Growth Differentiation Factor 9 in Mothers of Dizygotic Twins J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., November 1, 2006; 91(11): 4713 - 4716. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Lukanova and R. Kaaks Endogenous Hormones and Ovarian Cancer: Epidemiology and Current Hypotheses Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., January 1, 2005; 14(1): 98 - 107. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. W. Montgomery, D. L. Duffy, J. Hall, B. R. Haddon, M. Kudo, E. A. Mcgee, J. S. Palmer, A. J. Hsueh, D. I. Boomsma, and N. G. Martin Dizygotic Twinning Is Not Linked to Variation at the {alpha}-Inhibin Locus on Human Chromosome 2 J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., September 1, 2000; 85(9): 3391 - 3395. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				D. C. Whiteman, M. F. G. Murphy, L. S. Cook, D. W. Cramer, P. Hartge, P. A. Marchbanks, P. C. Nasca, R. B. Ness, D. M. Purdie, and H. A. Risch Multiple Births and Risk of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer J Natl Cancer Inst, July 19, 2000; 92(14): 1172 - 1177. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. B. Lambalk, D. I. Boomsma, L. de Boer, C. H. de Koning, E. Schoute, C. Popp-Snijders, and J. Schoemaker Increased Levels and Pulsatility of Follicle-Stimulating Hormone in Mothers of Hereditary Dizygotic Twins J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., February 1, 1998; 83(2): 481 - 486. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				B. C. J. M. Fauser and A. M. van Heusden Manipulation of Human Ovarian Function: Physiological Concepts and Clinical Consequences Endocr. Rev., February 1, 1997; 18(1): 71 - 106. [Abstract] [Full Text]