To study the role of growth hormone supplementation on endometrial response and implantation rate in frozen thawed embryo transfer (FET) cycles

Abstract

Aim: To assess the role of growth hormone in improving endometrial response and clinical outcome. Materials and Methods: A prospective randomised study was conducted with 50 patients who were treated with FET cycles at Ridge IVF, Delhi, between August 2019 and January 2020. Patients were classified into two groups: group A administered simultaneous GH along with hormone-replacement therapy (HRT), for endometrial preparation; while group B received HRT alone. GH four IU subcutaneously was started on the day of HRT (day two/three) and continued till the endometrium reached a thickness of 8 mm. Statistical analysis: Statistical testing was conducted with the statistical software SPSS 20.0. Continuous variables are presented as mean±SD. Categorical variables are expressed as frequencies and percentages. Categorical data was compared using Chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test as appropriate. Results: Patients in group A had a significantly higher endometrial thickness (8.86±1.06 mm) as compared to group B (8.34±1.16 mm) (P value=0.028). However, patients in group A i.e those given GH, had a lower impedance to blood flow as shown by a lower pulsatility index (1.68±0.12 vs 1.92±0.13) (P value=0.028), resistance index (0.73±0.06 vs 0.86±.02) (P value=0.053), and a lower peak systolic velocity/end diastolic velocity of the uterine arcuate artery (2.68±.13 vs 2.93±0.11) (P value=0.066). The clinical pregnancy rate was comparatively more in group A compared to group B (56% vs 48%) (P value=0.588). Conclusion: Growth hormone when given along with HRT can improve FET results by enhancing endometrial perfusion.