A Comparison of Leukocyte Alkaline Phosphatase and Plasma Estradiol Measurements in the Monitoring of Clomiphene and Gonadotropin Therapy

Leukocyte alkaline phosphatase (LAP) and plasma estradiol (E2) were measured in 56 infertile women treated with clomiphene citrate and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and in 21 infertile women treated with human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) and hCG. Plasma LAP scores were found to correlate significantly with plasma E2 levels in both clomiphene- and hMG-stimulated patients, reflecting the dependence of LAP on the level of circulating plasma estrogens. However, the plasma LAP score failed to distinguish the difference between normal stimulated and hyperstimulated cycles following hMG administration. We conclude that plasma LAP measurements have little value in monitoring ovulation induction therapy.