View clinical trials related to Healthy, Reproductive Age Women.
Filter by:Recent studies have shown that C natriuretic peptide (CNP) is produced from granulosa cells, increasing cumulative guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) production by affecting cumulus cells through natriuretic peptide receptors.It has been suggested that the transport of cGMP to oocyte via gap junctions causes a continuous increase in cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels within the oocyte. An important role of increased cAMP levels in oocyte is shown to suppress meiotic progression. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) studies in animals have shown that expression of the natriuretic peptide precursor increases during the periovulatory period and shows that this increase decreases rapidly after Luteinizing hormone(LH) / human chorionic(hCG) stimulation. Human studies have shown that after ovulation induction, the CNP level in follicular fluid decreases following ovulatory dose of hCG (9).
This study is enrolling healthy women ages 18-39yo who are not pregnant or breastfeeding, and are not using hormonal birth control. Initial screening visit will include a blood draw to assess if the participant has recently ovulated. If hormone test indicates ovulation occurred, participant will start the study 8 days after the start of their next menstrual period. On this study visit, vaginal ultrasound will be performed to look the ovaries for follicles. Vaginal ultrasound is then performed approximately every 2 days until the dominant follicle has grown into the size group assigned. When this occurs the participant will place the NuvaRing®, inside the vagina and blood will be drawn for hormone levels. Participant will then return daily the next 5 days (total of 6 daily visits) for vaginal ultrasound and blood draw to assess for signs of ovulation. After the 7th day the ring is in the vagina, the participant will remove the ring from her vagina at home. After removal, there will be twice weekly clinic visits for ultrasound and blood draw until menstrual bleeding occurs. At this point, participation in the study is complete. Participants are compensated for their time.