Comparison of a single half-dose, long-acting form of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog (GnRH-a) and a short-acting form of GnRH-a for pituitary suppression in a controlled ovarian hyperstimulation program

Abstract

Objective: To compare the effect of a single low-dose leuprolide acetate depot (LA depot) and leuprolide acetate (LA) on pituitary down-regulation in women undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH). Design: Retrospective study. Setting: An IVF unit of an academic medical center. Patient(s): Women who underwent COH and IVF-ET. Intervention(s): Pituitary down-regulation with half-dose LA depot (1.88 mg sc, group 1) or LA (0.5 mg/d sc, group 2) was started on menstrual days 21–23. Main Outcome Measure(s): The concentrations of estradiol (E 2), FSH, LH, gonadotropin dosages, the numbers of oocytes retrieved, oocytes fertilized and embryos transferred, and pregnancy rates of the two groups were compared. Result(s): A total of 289 patients in group 1 and 158 in group 2 were included. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in baseline concentrations of E 2 and FSH, concentrations of E 2, FSH, and LH during hCG administration, gonadotropin dosage, the number of oocytes retrieved, the number of oocytes fertilized and embryos transferred, and pregnancy rates. Conclusion(s): Single half-dose LA depot offers a useful alternative for pituitary suppression in ovarian stimulation for IVF.