Ultrasonic control without hormone determination for ovulation induction in in-vitro fertilization/embryo transfer with gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogue and human menopausal gonadotrophin.
A total of 114 patients admitted to an in-vitro fertilization-embryo transfer programme for the first time, were randomly assigned to the study group or controls. Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogue (GnRHa) and human menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG) were used for ovulation induction. The study patients were followed up merely by ultrasonography and the controls by ultrasonography and serum determinations of oestradiol, progesterone and luteinizing hormone (LH). There was no significant difference in the duration and total amount of HMG used for ovulation induction (10.9 versus 11.5 days and 34.8 versus 37.9 ampoules, respectively). The number of oocytes retrieved (11.7 versus 13.4) and the numbers of embryos replaced (2.6 versus 2.8) and cryopreserved (1.9 versus 3.3) were also similar. Pregnancy rates were similar. Pregnancy rate per ovum retrieval was 22.2 versus 25% and per embryo transfer 27.2 versus 26.5%. Oestradiol patterns were also similar. The rate and severity of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome were virtually identical. We conclude that 'ultrasound-only' monitoring of ovulation induction in IVF cycles treated by GnRHa-HMG in the long protocol is as effective and safe as the conventional ultrasound and hormone determination, but far simpler, swifter and more cost-effective.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Assaf Harofeh Medical Centre, Zerifin 70300.
A
A
Golan
A
A
Herman
Y
Y
Soffer
I
I
Bukovsky
R
R
Ron-El
D000328:Adult; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008596:Menotropins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000187:drug effects; D016471:Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000517:prevention & control; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D014463:Ultrasonography
D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D008596:Menotropins; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone