GnRH antagonist in IVF poor-responder patients: results of a randomized trial.
Marci R, Caserta D, Dolo V, Tatone C, Pavan A, Moscarini M.
Department of Experimental Medicine, University of L'Aquila, Italy. robertomarci@tin.it
The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the efficacy of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone antagonist (GnRH) in comparison with the standard long protocol in poor-responder patients. Sixty patients with poor ovarian response in previous treatment cycles were randomized into two groups: group A (n = 30) was stimulated with a standard long protocol, and group B (n = 30) received GnRH antagonist. Vaginal ultrasound was performed to evaluate ovarian response. There was a significantly reduced duration of ovarian stimulation (9.8 +/- 0.8 versus 14.6 +/- 1.2, P = 0.001) in group B in comparison with group A, and a reduced number of ampoules was used in group B (49.3 +/- 4.3 versus 72.6 +/- 6.8, P = 0.0001). In group B, the number of oocytes retrieved was significantly higher than in group A (5.6 +/- 1.6 versus 4.3 +/- 2.2, P = 0.02) and there was an increased number of follicles with a diameter >15 mm at human chorionic gonadotrophin administration in group B (P = 0.0001). Fewer cycles were cancelled with the use of an antagonist protocol. Five pregnancies (17% for embryo transfer) were obtained with GnRH antagonist protocol and two (7% for embryo transfer) with GnRH agonist protocol.
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PMID: 16168215 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]