Vaginal micronized progesterone versus intramuscular progesterone for luteal support in women undergoing in vitro fertilization–embryo transfer  Mohamed F. Mitwally, M.D., H.C.L.D., Michael P. Diamond, M.D., Mostafa Abuzeid, M.D.  Fertility and Sterility  Volume 93, Issue 2, Pages 554-569 (January 2010) DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2009.02.047 Copyright © 2010 American Society for Reproductive Medicine Terms and Conditions

Figure 1 Mean serum P levels during the luteal phase (all women) and early weeks of gestation (pregnant women) in the vaginal P group and in the IM-P4 group. Serum P levels are presented as mean ± SEM. During the luteal phase, the mean serum P level on days 9 and 10 after oocyte retrieval was statistically significantly higher in the IM-P4 group. However, during early pregnancy, serum P levels were statistically significantly higher in the vaginal P group on mean days (after oocyte retrieval) of 19–22, 23–26, and 27days to 12 weeks of gestation. Fertility and Sterility 2010 93, 554-569DOI: (10.1016/j.fertnstert.2009.02.047) Copyright © 2010 American Society for Reproductive Medicine Terms and Conditions

Figure 2 Mean P levels throughout the luteal phase (first 18 days after oocyte retrieval) in all women and throughout early pregnancy phase (18 days after oocyte retrieval until 12 weeks of gestation) in pregnant women. Data are presented as the mean ± SEM. While overall the mean serum P level was not different during the luteal phase, it was statistically higher in the vaginal P group during the early pregnancy phase. Fertility and Sterility 2010 93, 554-569DOI: (10.1016/j.fertnstert.2009.02.047) Copyright © 2010 American Society for Reproductive Medicine Terms and Conditions

Figure 3 Mean serum P levels during the luteal phase (only pregnant women) and early weeks of gestation in the vaginal P group and in the IM-P4 group. Serum P levels are presented as mean ± SEM. During the luteal phase, mean serum P levels were not statistically different between the vaginal P group and the IM-P4 group. However, during early pregnancy, serum P levels were statistically significantly higher in the vaginal P group on mean days (after oocyte retrieval) of 19–22, 23–26, and 27 days to 12 weeks of gestation. Fertility and Sterility 2010 93, 554-569DOI: (10.1016/j.fertnstert.2009.02.047) Copyright © 2010 American Society for Reproductive Medicine Terms and Conditions

Figure 4 Mean P levels throughout the luteal phase (first 18 days after oocyte retrieval) in pregnant women and throughout early pregnancy phase (18 days after oocyte retrieval until 12 weeks of gestation) in pregnant women. Data are presented as the mean ± SEM. While overall the mean serum P level was not different during the luteal phase, it was statistically higher in the vaginal P group during the early pregnancy phase. Fertility and Sterility 2010 93, 554-569DOI: (10.1016/j.fertnstert.2009.02.047) Copyright © 2010 American Society for Reproductive Medicine Terms and Conditions

Figure 5 Mean serum P levels during the luteal phase (nonpregnant women) in the vaginal P group and in the IM-P4 group. Serum P levels are presented as mean ± SEM. Mean serum P levels were consistently higher in the IM-P4 group. However, the difference was not statistically insignificant except the mean level on day 9–10 that was significantly lower in the vaginal P group. Fertility and Sterility 2010 93, 554-569DOI: (10.1016/j.fertnstert.2009.02.047) Copyright © 2010 American Society for Reproductive Medicine Terms and Conditions

Figure 6 Mean P levels throughout the luteal phase (first 18 days after oocyte retrieval) in nonpregnant women. Data are presented as the mean ± SEM. Overall the mean serum P level was not statistically different between the vaginal P group and the IM-P4 group during the luteal phase. Fertility and Sterility 2010 93, 554-569DOI: (10.1016/j.fertnstert.2009.02.047) Copyright © 2010 American Society for Reproductive Medicine Terms and Conditions