Efficiency of follicle-stimulating hormone, commenced in the luteal phase, for overcoming a poor response in assisted reproduction

Aim:  The efficacy of commencement of recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (recFSH) during the luteal phase in the long-protocol gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist regimen in poor responders was compared with the conventional protocol in a prospective, randomized, controlled study.
Methods:  Forty-two women who responded poorly to previous conventional controlled ovarian hyperstimulation were included in the study. Recombinant FSH (150 IU) was started simultaneously with the GnRH agonist long protocol in the study group. The control group was started recFSH on Day 2 of menstruation in the long-protocol GnRH agonist regimen. The number of metaphase (M) II oocytes, the number of embryos transferred, and the pregnancy rate were analyzed as main outcome measures.
Results:  Patients in the study group had a higher number of MII oocytes compared with the control group (6.8 vs 3.2, respectively; P  < 0.005), received a higher number of embryos (2.7 vs 1.2, respectively; P  < 0.05), and had higher pregnancy rates (38% vs 15%, respectively; P  < 0.005).
Conclusions:  Commencement of recFSH during the luteal phase simultaneously with the long-protocol GnRH agonist regiment in poor responder women produces better results compared with the conventional long-protocol GnRH agonist plus high-dose recFSH regimen.