Accelerated Coasting Does Not Affect Oocyte Maturation

Abstract

Aims: The study aimed to assess the efficacy of accelerating the process of coasting through adding gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist (GnRH-ant) on the day of triggering of oocyte maturation without withholding the GnRH agonist (GnRHa) in women at risk for developing ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). Methods: Retrospective case-control study of the outcomes of GnRHa cycles in which women were at risk to develop OHSS. Women who underwent acceleration of coasting (n = 50) were compared with a control group of women who underwent usual coasting (n = 57). Results: The oocyte maturation and fertilization rates were significantly higher in the accelerated coasting group than in the usual coasting group (83.05 vs. 67.62%; p < 0.001 and 79.85 vs. 65.84%; p < 0.001, respectively). The pregnancy rates were higher in the accelerated coasting group than in the usual coasting group but without statistically significant difference. The incidences of mild, moderate, and severe OHSS were not significantly different between both groups. Conclusion: Acceleration of coasting in cases of OHSS through treatment with GnRH-ant after pituitary suppression with GnRHa offered a novel approach to reduce estradiol level, avoid cycle cancellation, and maintain excellent oocyte maturation rate and thus high pregnancy rate with prevention of OHSS.