ABSTRACT
Several pathophysiological mechanisms have been put forth over the years for explaining that COS alters the luteal production of progesterone. In the heydays of ART, concerns were raised about the possibility that follicular fl uid aspiration when retrieving oocytes might disrupt and/or diminish the number of granulosa cells undergoing luteinization (11,12). This ultimately could diminish the progesterone-producing capacity of the corpus luteum (CL) and thus, reduce progesterone levels (12). Numerous studies have rapidly disclaimed these early fears about the progesterone-producing capacity of CL in ART (13).
