Ovarian stimulation in in vitro fertilization with or without the "long" gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist protocol: effect on cycle duration and outcome

OBJECTIVE: To study the correlation between stimulation duration of IVF cycles, with and without GnRH agonist (GnRH-a), and cycle outcome. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of data. SETTING: University-affiliated IVF clinic. PATIENT(S): 998 IVF cycles in which long GnRH-a protocol was used, and 155 cycles with hMG only. INTERVENTION(S): IVF cycles. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Cycle outcome in number of oocytes and embryos, and pregnancy rate. RESULT(S): The mean stimulation duration (+/-SD) was 9.6+/-1.7 and 6.7+/-1.0 for the GnRH-a and the hMG-only cycles, respectively (P<0.01). In the GnRH-a group, no statistically significant correlation between cycle duration and pregnancy rate was found. Interestingly, the patients treated for 9 days had the highest number of oocytes retrieved and the highest pregnancy rate. Stimulation duration was not affected by age in either protocol. GnRH-a cycles yielded a significantly higher number of oocytes and embryos compared to cycles without GnRH-a. The pregnancy rate was similar in both groups. CONCLUSION(S): Stimulation duration in the long GnRH-a protocol group was significantly longer than in the hMG-only group. Stimulation duration was not affected by age. No statistically significant correlation was found between stimulation duration and cycle outcome in the long protocol group.     

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist plus recombinant luteinizing hormone vs. a standard GnRH agonist short protocol in patients at risk for poor ovarian response

Various studies have compared the efficacy of GnRH agonists (GnRH-a) and antagonists (GnRH-ant) for controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) in women undergoing IVF. Nevertheless, few data are available about the use of GnRH-ant in poor responders. Here, a flexible protocol providing a gradual increase in the dose of GnRH-ant in association with recombinant LH (rec-LH) administration is compared with the standard GnRH-a flare-up protocol in 133 women at risk for poor ovarian response. The mean number of metaphase 2 oocytes (primary end point) was significantly higher in the antagonist group (5.73 +/- 3.57 vs. 4.64 +/- 2.23, respectively; P<.05).     

Comparison of different stimulation protocols efficacy in poor responders undergoing IVF: A retrospective study

Purpose: To compare the efficacy of different stimulation protocols on pregnancy outcomes in poor responders undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). Materials and methods: This was a retrospective study to compare the efficacy of four different protocols including gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist (long, short and miniflare) and GnRH antagonist on pregnancy outcomes in poor responders. This investigation was performed on 566 poor respond patients who were candidates for IVF. Main outcome measures included the total number of oocytes and mature oocytes retrieved, pregnancy rates, implantation and overall cancellation rates which were compared between four mentioned groups. Results: Number of follicles >18?mm on hCG day were significantly higher in GnRH-a long versus GnRH antagonist, GnRH-a short and GnRH-a miniflare protocols. The mean number of oocytes and mature oocytes retrieved were significantly higher in GnRH-a long versus miniflare (4.7?±?3.05 versus 3.26?±?2.9 and 3.69?±?3.1 versus 2.65?±?2.2, respectively). There were no significant differences in implantation, pregnancy and overall cancellation rates between four groups. Conclusion: The present study suggests that the application of four different protocols in poor respond patients seem to have similar efficacy in improving clinical outcomes such as implantation, pregnancy rates and cancellation rate even though GnRH-a long protocol yielded more retrieved oocytes and mature oocytes compared to GnRH-a miniflare protocol.     

Prospective evaluation of two stimulation protocols for low responders who were undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer

OBJECTIVE: To compare two stimulation protocols designed for low responders undergoing IVF. DESIGN: Randomized, prospective study. SETTING: University hospital IVF unit. PATIENT(S): Sixty low responders who were recruited on the basis of results in previous cycles. INTERVENTION(S): Modified flare protocol in which a high dose of GnRH agonist was administered for the first 4 days, followed by a standard agonist dose, or a modified long protocol in which a standard agonist dose was used until pituitary down-regulation, after which the agonist dose was halved during stimulation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Number of oocytes retrieved. RESULT(S): Twenty-nine cycles were performed with the modified flare protocol and 31 were performed with the modified long protocol. Significantly more oocytes were obtained with the modified long protocol than the modified flare protocol (4.42 +/- 2.6 vs. 3.07 +/- 2.15). The number and quality of embryos available for transfer was similar in both groups. One clinical pregnancy (3.4%) was achieved with the modified flare protocol, and 7 pregnancies (22.5%) were achieved using the modified long protocol. CONCLUSION(S): These preliminary results substantiate the poor prognosis and outcome for low responders undergoing IVF. A modified long "mini-dose" protocol appears to be superior to a modified mega-dose flare protocol in terms of oocyte yield and cycle outcome.     

Comparison of stimulation with clomiphene citrate in combination with recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone and recombinant luteinizing hormone to stimulation with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist protocol: a prospective,randomized study

OBJECTIVE: To compare IVF-ET outcome with a new stimulation protocol using clomiphene citrate (CC) with recombinant FSH and LH to stimulation with the standard long GnRH-a protocol. DESIGN: Prospective randomized study. SETTING: Outpatient infertility clinic in Vienna, Austria. PATIENT(S): Two hundred ninety-four infertile women undergoing IVF-ET; 154 IVF cycles stimulated with CC + recombinant FSH + recombinant LH (group A) and 140 cycles with long GnRH-a suppression + recombinant FSH (group B). INTERVENTION(S): Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, egg retrieval, and ET. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Cycle parameters (number of oocytes, fertilization, number of embryos) and outcome (pregnancy rate, cancellation rate, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome [OHSS]). RESULT(S): Pregnancy rate per ET was 42.9% (implantation rate, 21.3%) in group A and 36.6% (17.4%) in group B. Cancellation rates were similar. The OHSS occurred in four cases (3%) in group A and 12 cases (10%) in group B. CONCLUSION(S): Stimulation with CC + recombinant FSH + recombinant LH leads to comparable pregnancy rates vs. the long protocol. With this new stimulation, less gonadotropins are used and there is less need for monitoring (lower cost for patient and clinic). The risk of OHSS is reduced as well. Therefore, this protocol should be regarded as the first-line treatment.     

Clinical outcome of using ganirelix acetate versus a 4-day follicular phase leuprolide acetate protocol in unselected women undergoing in vitro fertilization

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical outcome of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) in unselected patients undergoing IVF using multidose ganirelix acetate versus 4 days of administration of leuprolide acetate. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: A fertility and IVF center. PATIENT(S): Two hundred forty-seven women who underwent COH-IVF between April 1, 1999, and January 30, 2001. INTERVENTION(S): Pituitary suppression according to a 4-day follicular phase leuprolide acetate protocol (236 women) or a multidose ganirelix acetate regimen (133 women). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Amount of gonadotropin used, days of stimulation, cancellation rate, number of oocytes retrieved, implantation rate, and clinical pregnancy rate. RESULT(S): Compared with leuprolide acetate recipients, ganirelix recipients required significantly less gonadotropin and the mean day of hCG administration was 4 days earlier. Among women younger than 35 years of age, the implantation rate (15% vs. 6%) and the clinical pregnancy rate per initiated and transferred cycle (27% vs. 12% and 32% vs. 15%, respectively) were significantly higher in the ganirelix group than the leuprolide acetate group. CONCLUSION(S): Compared with a 4-day leuprolide acetate protocol, COH-IVF using a multidose ganirelix acetate protocol reduces treatment duration and amount of gonadotropin used. In younger women, the latter protocol is associated with significantly better pregnancy and implantation rates.     

体外受精周期卵巢储备功能正常采用激动剂长方案与拮抗剂方案促排卵的临床结局比较

目的:探讨卵巢储备功能正常者采用激动剂长方案和拮抗剂方案促排卵对体外受精周期妊娠结局的影响。方法:回顾性分析卵巢储备功能正常者进行体外受精-胚胎移植(IVF-ET)的265个周期。根据促排卵方案不同将其分为:激动剂长方案促排卵组(长方案组,157个周期),拮抗剂方案组(拮抗剂组,108个周期)。结果:患者的年龄、不孕年限、体质量指数(BMI)、基础性激素水平等一般情况组间均无统计学差异(P>0.05)。hCG注射日直径14 mm以上的卵泡数、hCG注射日E2水平、平均移植胚胎数及胚胎质量、受精率、生化妊娠率、早期流产率等组间均亦无统计学差异(P>0.05);但获卵数(12.6±4.6 vs 10.8±4.6)、可用胚胎数(5.0±3.0 vs 4.2±2.7)、胚胎种植率(29.87%vs 20.98%)、临床妊娠率(42.76%vs 28.70%)长方案组明显高于拮抗剂组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:卵巢储备功能正常者拮抗剂促排卵,其胚胎种植率、临床妊娠率明显低于长方案组。     

In vitro fertilization stimulation protocol for normal responder patients

The aim of this prospective observational study is to determine the different outcomes of IVF/ICSI treatments after using antagonists or agonists of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) for controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) in normal responder patients. Two hundred forty-seven patients undergoing IVF treatment at the Centre of Reproductive Medicine, Rome (CERMER), from January 2005 to December 2008, were included in the study. Patients were stimulated either with a standard long protocol with GnRH agonists (n = 156) or with GnRH antagonists (n = 91). The use of GnRH antagonists resulted in a significant reduction in the duration of the stimulation (Agonist Group 14.10?±?2.25 vs Antagonist Group 11.34?±?2.11; p < 0.001) and in the amount of gonadotrophin (IU of r-FSH) needed (Agonist Group 1878?±?1109 vs Antagonist Group 1331?±?1049; p = 0.0014). Moreover a lower number of cycles were cancelled with the antagonist protocol (4.39 vs 6.41%). The GnRH antagonist protocol, when compared to the GnRH agonist one, is associated with a similar clinical pregnancy rate, similar implantation rate, significantly lower gonadotrophin requirement and shorter duration of stimulation. For this reason, GnRH antagonists might be a good treatment even for normal responder patients undergoing IVF.     

Minimal stimulation using recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone and a gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist in women of advanced age

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether minimal stimulation with short-term application of low-dose recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) together with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist represents a cost-effective treatment regimen for patients with elevated FSH levels, aged 40 and above. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Academically affiliated private in vitro fertilization (IVF) program. PATIENT(S): Eighty-five IVF cycles using minimal ovarian stimulation and 85 cycles with a standard long-stimulation protocol, conducted between January 2000 and January 2002, in women aged 40 and above who had slightly increased FSH levels. INTERVENTION(S): Patients on the long protocol underwent standard cycle monitoring and stimulation. In contrast, women with minimal stimulation had transvaginal sonography initiated on day 8 of the menstrual cycle and at a follicle size of 13 mm. We administered 0.25 mg of GnRH antagonist and 75 IU recombinant FSH daily until ovulation induction. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Numbers of oocytes, and rates of cancellation and pregnancy. RESULT(S): Minimal stimulation cycles resulted in a clinical pregnancy rate of 8.2% per started cycle and 10% per embryo transfer (ET), whereas the control group yielded a clinical pregnancy rate of 10.6% per started cycle and of 10.7% per ET (not statistically significant). CONCLUSION(S): In women aged 40 and above with abnormal FSH levels, minimal stimulation protocol achieves similar pregnancy rates to a standard protocol, and thus represents a cost-effective alternative.     

Cessation of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue (GnRH-a) upon down-regulation versus conventional long GnRH-a protocol in poor responders undergoing in vitro fertilization.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) regimen that involves GnRH agonist (GnRH-a) discontinuation before administration of gonadotropins would benefit poor responders. DESIGN: A prospective, randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Hospital-based IVF Unit. PATIENT(S): Sixty-three patients with previous poor response to COH and/or high basal FSH level (> or =9 mIU/mL) undergoing 78 IVF-ET cycles. INTERVENTION(S): In both groups, administration of GnRH-a was started in the midluteal phase. Whereas in the study group (40 cycles), it ended before administration of gonadotropins, in controls (38 cycles) GnRH-a treatment was continued throughout the follicular phase. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Ovarian stimulation patterns and IVF outcome. RESULT(S): A significantly higher cancellation rate was noted in the study group than in the controls (22.5% versus 5%, respectively). The new and control regimens resulted in similar stimulation characteristics and clinical pregnancy rates (11% versus 10.3%, respectively). In 13 patients with a basal FSH level that was not persistently high, the new regimen resulted in a significantly higher number of retrieved oocytes compared with the standard protocol (7.6+/-1.03 versus 4.0+/-0.68, respectively). CONCLUSION(S): Whereas for most low responders, the new COH regimen offers no further advantage, future prospective studies may demonstrate whether it can confer a benefit for a subset of patients with a basal FSH level that is not persistently high.     

Effect of antagonists vs agonists on in vitro fertilization outcome

PURPOSE: To compare outcome following in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) using controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) regimens using either the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist leuprolide acetate vs the GnRH antagonist ganirelix. METHODS: Women needing IVF for conception were randomly assigned to 300 IU of gonadotropins with ganirelix used in the follicular phase when a follicle with a 14 mm average diameter was attained vs a regimen using leuprolide acetate from the mid-luteal phase of the previous cycle. RESULTS: There were no differences found in clinical, ongoing, delivered pregnancy rates or implantation rates between groups. CONCLUSIONS: The use of GnRH antagonists do not seem to reduce IVF outcome compared to using GnRH agonists in COH regimens.     

GnRH antagonist versus long GnRH agonist protocol in poor IVF responders: a randomized clinical trial

Objective

To compare the efficacy of the long GnRH agonist and the fixed GnRH antagonist protocols in IVF poor responders.

Study design

This was a randomized controlled trial performed in the Iakentro IVF centre, Thessaloniki, from January 2007 to December 2011, concerning women characterised as poor responders after having 0–4 oocytes retrieved at a previous IVF cycle. They were assigned at random, using sealed envelopes, to either a long GnRH agonist protocol (group I) or a GnRH antagonist protocol (group II).

Results

Overall 364 women fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were allocated to the two groups: finally 330 participated in our trial. Of these, 162 were treated with the long GnRH agonist protocol (group I), and 168 with the fixed GnRH antagonist protocol (group II). Numbers of embryos transferred and implantation rates were similar between the two groups (P = NS). The overall cancellation rate was higher in the antagonist group compared to the agonist group, but the difference was not significant (22.15% vs. 15.2%, P = NS). Although clinical pregnancy rates per transfer cycle were not different between the two groups (42.3% vs. 33.1%, P = NS), the clinical pregnancy rate per cycle initiated was significantly higher in the agonist compared to the antagonist group (35.8% vs. 25.6%, P = 0.03).

Conclusions

Although long GnRH agonist and fixed GnRH antagonist protocols seem to have comparable pregnancy rates per transfer in poor responders undergoing IVF, the higher cancellation rate observed in the antagonist group suggests the long GnRH agonist protocol as the first choice for ovarian stimulation in these patients.     

Luteinizing hormone supplementation increases pregnancy rates in gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist donor cycles

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether LH supplementation improved pregnancy and implantation rates in GnRH antagonist donor cycles. DESIGN: Donors were randomly assigned to a protocol using GnRH antagonist (GnRH-a) alone or GnRH-a + recombinant LH. Analysis of variance, Student's t-test and Fisher's exact test were used where appropriate. SETTING: Private clinical setting. PATIENT(S): Young voluntary donors with antagonist (n = 20) and antagonist + LH (n = 22). Fifty-five patients received oocytes. INTERVENTION(S): Donors received the GnRH-a (Cetrorelix, 0.25 mg/day) alone or in combination with recombinant LH (75 IU/day). Ovulation induction was carried out with recombinant FSH in a step-down protocol. The endometrial tissue of recipient patients was prepared with oral E(2) and P. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Pregnancy and implantation rates in a donor program. RESULT(S): A significant increase in MII oocyte (80% vs. 71%), fertilization rates (83% vs. 71%), G1 embryos (17% vs. 3%), and implantation rates (35% vs. 15%), were found in recipients whose embryos originated from donors receiving GnRH-a + recombinant LH as compared to donors receiving GnRH-a alone. Estradiol levels, pregnancy/transfer and clinical pregnancies were lower (not significant) in donors treated with the GnRH-a alone vs. those receiving the recombinant LH-supplemented GnRH-a. CONCLUSION(S): The LH supplementation improved the possibilities of gestation for recipients whose embryos originated from GnRH-a-treated donors.     

A modified gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist protocol failed to increase clinical pregnancy rates in comparison with the long GnRH protocol

The purpose of this prospective randomized study was to compare stimulation characteristics and IVF outcomes of the standard long GnRH agonist protocol for ovarian stimulation with a modified GnRH antagonist protocol. Starting GnRH antagonist in a flexible protocol according to the size of the leading follicle, with simultaneous augmentation of 75 IU recombinant FSH, failed to increase clinical pregnancy rates.     

A randomized prospective study of microdose leuprolide versus ganirelix in in vitro fertilization cycles for poor responders

Forty-eight patients who met the criteria of poor response during prior gonadotropin stimulation were enrolled in a randomized prospective study comparing a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist protocol, using ganirelix acetate, with a microdose GnRH agonist protocol for in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET). This pilot study contributes to the literature of poor response IVF treatment protocols because the use of ganirelix appears to be as effective as the microdose protocol and may be a superior choice in terms of cost and convenience for the patient.     

GnRHa flare and IVF pregnancy rates.

OBJECTIVES: GnRH agonist administered early in the menstrual cycle (flare) causes an endogenous discharge of FSH and LH. Flare has been used in conjunction with gonadotropin ovarian stimulation for IVF 'poor responders'. There is an ongoing controversy regarding whether flare protocols improve pregnancy rates in 'poor responders'. The current study was designed to compare a GnRHa flare protocol with long suppression GnRHa IVF in 'poor responders'. METHODS: Seventy-three newly diagnosed poor responders who failed long GnRHa suppression IVF attempts were compared retrospectively with 128 age-matched IVF patients previously known poor ovarian responders treated with a long GnRHa suppression protocol. 'Poor responders' consisted of patients with peak E(2) less than 1000 pg/ml and/or less than five mature follicles with diameter >15 mm on the day of hCG administration. Student's t-test was used to analyze the data and the chi-squared test was used to compare fertilization and pregnancy rates. RESULTS: The flare protocol produced higher peak E(2) levels (1647+/-747 vs. 720+/-258 mIU/ml, P<0.05) and a larger number of mature follicles (5.8+/-2.2 vs. 4.0+/-1.0 P<0.05) in the study vs. the control group. A 30% pregnancy rate was achieved during this second IVF attempt using GnRHa flare protocol in the study group vs. 37 in the control group (P>0.05, NS). CONCLUSIONS: A comparison between the flare protocol group and the age-matched control group of poor ovarian responders subject to down regulation protocol, revealed higher peak E(2) levels and more mature follicles, respectively. However, both groups yielded comparable pregnancy rates. The use of high dose gonadotropin treatment in our study groups seems to be the only explanation for their subsequent successful outcome. We concluded that GnRH agonist flare protocol does not result in better IVF outcome compared with long GnRH agonist suppression protocol in IVF poor responders.     

Delay of gonadotropin stimulation in patients receiving gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) therapy permits increased clinic efficiency and may enhance in vitro fertilization (IVF) pregnancy rates

Objective: To promote an even temporal distribution of patients starting IVF cycles at our center, patients undergoing GnRH agonist (GnRH-a) suppression frequently delay the start of gonadotropin stimulation. Our objective was to analyze the effect that the delay of initiation of gonadotropin stimulation has on outcome parameters in this population.

Design: Retrospective analysis.

Setting: A tertiary referral reproductive medicine unit.

Patient(s): Patients undergoing IVF cycles on long GnRH-a protocols.

Intervention(s): Patients were treated with either a “standard-dose” or “low-dose” leuprolide acetate protocol initiated in the mid-luteal phase.

Main Outcome Measure(s): Delay time, clinical pregnancy rate, ongoing pregnancy rate, cancellation rate.

Result(s): Analysis of the overall group revealed associations between stimulation delay and decreases in stimulation duration and the number of gonadotropin ampules administered. Weighted linear regression analyzes revealed statistically positive relationships between delay time and both clinical pregnancy rates and ongoing pregnancy rates, despite a positive relationship between delay time and cancellation rates. Analysis of the standard-dose and low-dose subgroups revealed that the enhancement of pregnancy rates was attributable primarily to patients in the standard-dose protocol.

Conclusion(s): Delay of gonadotropin stimulation while patients are receiving GnRH-a therapy allows for increased clinic efficiency. There appears to be an enhancement of clinical and ongoing pregnancy rates for the standard-dose leuprolide acetate protocol that is associated with stimulation delay.     

A novel protocol of ovulation induction with delayed gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist administration combined with high-dose recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone and clomiphene citrate for poor responders and women over 35 years

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of a novel protocol of ovulation induction for poor responders. DESIGN: Prospective, controlled, clinical study. SETTING: Research institute's reproductive unit. PATIENT(S): One hundred forty-five infertile women, aged 27-39 years, candidates for assisted reproductive techniques (ART). INTERVENTION(S): Before undergoing ART, 85 patients received clomiphene citrate, high-dose recombinant human FSH, and a delayed, multidose GnRH antagonist, whereas 60 patients underwent a standard long protocol. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Estradiol levels (pg/mL), cancellation rate, oocyte retrieval, embryo score, and fertilization and pregnancy rates. RESULT(S): Patients undergoing the study protocol obtained lower cancellation rates (4.7% vs. 34%) and higher E(2) levels (945.88 +/- 173.2 pg/mL vs. 169.55 +/- 45.07 pg/mL), oocyte retrieval (5.56 +/- 1.13 vs. 3.36 +/- 1.3), and pregnancy (22.2% vs. 15.3%) and implantation rates (13.5% vs. 7.6%) compared with those receiving the long protocol. Age negatively correlated with ovarian response in the latter, whereas the ovarian outcome results were comparable in younger (<35 yrs) and older (>35 yrs) women treated with the study protocol. CONCLUSION(S): The proposed protocol of ovulation induction can be usefully administered in poor responders as well as in aged woman, probably because the delayed administration of GnRH antagonist prevents its adverse effects on ovarian paracrine activity and on oocyte maturation.     

Use of GnRH antagonists in ovarian stimulation for assisted reproductive technologies compared to the long protocol

The use of GnRH antagonists has revolutionized ovarian stimulation for assisted reproduction. Two GnRH antagonists are clinically available, namely, cetrorelix and ganirelix. Several studies have directly compared these new stimulation protocols against the long GnRH agonist protocol. To evaluate whether there is a reduction in cases of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and/or a reduction in pregnancy rates, a meta-analysis was performed. There was a significant reduction of OHSS cases in the cetrorelix studies (odds ratio, OR, 0.23; 95% confidence interval, CI, 0.10-0.54), but no reduction for ganirelix (OR 1.13; 95% CI 0.24-5.31). The incidence of OHSS degree III cases was reduced in the cetrorelix protocols as compared to the long protocol to a nearly significant degree (OR 0.26; 95% CI 0.07-1.01). Ganirelix did not reduce the incidence of OHSS degree III at all (OR 1.08; 95% CI 0.27-4.38). The pregnancy rate per cycle was significantly lower in the ganirelix protocols than in the long protocol (OR 0.76; 95% CI 0.59-0.98). The studies using cetrorelix showed quite similar, not significantly different results for the antagonist and the long protocol groups for the pregnancy rate per cycle (OR 0.91; 95% Cl 0.68-1.22). From the data one can conclude that cetrorelix but not ganirelix will reduce the incidence of cases of OHSS and that cetrorelix but not ganirelix will result in the same pregnancy rates as the long protocol. Several possibilities to explain this phenomenon are discussed.     

Anti-annexin V antibodies in patients with early pregnancy loss or implantation failures

OBJECTIVE: To examine the impact of flare (short) vs. down-regulation (long) GnRH agonist (GnRH-a) on serum and follicular fluid (FF) LH and androgen concentrations in women undergoing IVF treatment cycles. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: IVF clinic. PATIENT(S): One hundred sixteen ovulatory subjects undergoing IVF. INTERVENTION(S): Fifty-eight ovulatory patients undergoing a down-regulation regimen matched with 58 undergoing the flare regimen as part of an IVF cycle. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Serum concentrations of LH, FSH, Progesterone (P4), Androstenedione (A), T, and E(2) on the day of hCG administration were compared between the two groups. In addition, the FF P4, 17OHP4, A, T, and E(2) levels were compared in the two groups. RESULT(S): Serum LH was significantly higher with the flare regimen (15.2 +/- 1.14 IU/L, P<.05) when compared with results with the down-regulation protocol (9.5 +/- 0.77 IU/L). In addition, FF A was significantly higher in the flare protocol (57.3 +/- 13.3 ng/mL, P<.05) compared with in the down-regulation protocol (27 +/- 2.44 ng/mL). Serum and FF P4, 17OH P4, T, and E(2) were not statistically significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSION(S): Serum LH and FF A are significantly higher in the flare regimen in comparison with the down-regulation regimen. Circulating LH appears to play a role in determining FF A concentration.