OVARIAN STIMULATION FOR IVF-ET PROCEDURE

Abstract

Background. It is well known that the efficiency of fertilization in vitro depends on the number of transferred embryos. To provide the conditions for the development of a higher number of ovarian follicles, from which a higher number of oocytes can be obtained, various regimens of ovarian stimulation have been used. Ovulation stimulation in in vitro fertilization – embryo transfer (IVF-ET) is performed by gonadotropins alone, by a combination of gonadotropins plus gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists or by a combination of gonadotropins plus GnRH antagonists. The use of gonadotropins alone is being abandoned. In most centres involved in the treatment of infertility and IVF procedures, the combination of gonadotropins and GnRH agonists is the most frequent regimen used for ovarian stimulation, whereas GnRH antagonists are in the phase of being introduced in the routine clinical work. Conclusions. At the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Ljubljana, ovarian stimulation with gonadotropins alone was abandoned at the end of 2000. In all the patients treated at our centre ovarian stimulation is currently done using the combination of gonadotropins and GnRH agonists, since the results are much better. Further clinical research will elucidate the possibilities offered by GnRH antagonists introduced in routine clinical work.