Is long-protocol gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist administration superior to the short protocol in ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization?
OBJECTIVE
To compare the long and short protocols of gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) administration for ovarian stimulation.


METHODS
University hospital.


METHODS
90 patients on their first attempt at in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET).


METHODS
The results of two stimulation protocols were compared with respect to number of follicles greater than 17 mm, peak serum estradiol level, number of oocytes retrieved and fertilized, fertilization rate per oocyte, number of embryos transferred, and pregnancy rate per initiated cycle.


RESULTS
The number of follicles greater than 17 mm and the peak estradiol level were significantly (P < .05) higher in the long protocol than those in the short protocol. The number of oocytes retrieved and fertilized, the number of embryos transferred, and the pregnancy rate per initiated cycle were also significantly (P < .001) higher in the long protocol than those in the short protocol. The fertilization rates per oocyte retrieved did not differ significantly between groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The long protocol of gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist administration for ovarian stimulation in IVF-ET may be the preferred method when GnRH-a is used.
Tasdemir
M
M
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Akita University School of Medicine, Japan.
Tasdemir
I
I
Kodama
H
H
Higuchi
M
M
D000328:Adult; D002064:Buserelin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000628:therapy; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D011247:Pregnancy
D004958:Estradiol; D002064:Buserelin