Comparison of clinical outcomes in in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles with gonadotrophin alone or in association with GnRH antagonist

Abstract

Objective To analyze the clinical outcomes in in vitro (IVF) cycles with gonadotrophin alone. Methods Women undergoing their first IVF/ intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles with gonadotropin (Gn) alone or in association with Gn antagonist were enrolled in this study. Ovarian hyperstimulation was starting on menstrual day 3 with recombination follicle stimulating hormone (rFSH). Serial vaginal ultrasound examination was performed and hormone levels were measured every other day from stimulation day 6. The patients with luteinizing hormone (LH)≤ 5 IU/L, or LH/basal LH ratio 5 IU/L, or LH/basal LH ratio≥3, 0.125 mg Centrotide was administered daily till human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) injection day, namely control group. Results Totally 80 patients were enrolled, including 31 patients in study group, and 49 patients in control group. There were no statistically differences between the two groups in clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate (P>0.05). The duration of stimulation, FSH dosage, the hormone levels on hCG injection day were also comparable. Conclusion Omitting administration of GnRH antagonist might be a cost-effective measure for patients without elevated LH during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH). Key words: Infertility; Ovarian stimulation; GnRH antagonist