Effects of Growth Hormone Supplementation in Patients Undergoing IVF/ICSI-ET with Poor Ovarian Response to Gonadotropin

Abstract

Objective To analyze the effects of growth hormone (GH) supplementation during IVF/ICSI-ET in Chinese patients who had prior IVF cycle with poor response to gonadotropin (Gn). Methods Ovulation was stimulated in 389 consecutive patients who all had poor ovarian response, among them, 102 patients (GH cycle) received 4 IU GH and the other 287 patients (non-GH cycle) underwent IVF without GH. Fisher's exact test, Chi square test and Student's t-test were used to analyze IVF/ICSI-ET outcomes. Results After GH treatment, 102 patients had significantly more large- and medium-sized follicles, oocytes retrieved, 2 pronucleus oocytes, metaphase II stage (MII) oocytes, and high-quality embryos than in previous cycles without GH. However, the number of embryos transferred, clinical pregnancy rate, transfer rate and biochemical pregnancy rate were not significantly different. Furthermore, the 102 patients given GH had significantly lower luteinizing hormone levels and biochemical pregnancy rates; thicker endometrium and more Gn administration days; and more large- and medium-sized follicles and MII oocytes than 287 other patients undergoing IVF/ICSI-ET without GH. However, these groups did not differ significantly in clinical pregnancies, high-quality embryos, MII oocytes, and embryo implantation rates. Conclusion GH may improve some IVF/ICSI-ET outcomes for women with poor ovarian response.