title: Prospective study of a modified gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist long protocol in an in vitro fertilization program.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine if pituitary suppression is still maintained if GnRH agonist (GnRH-a) is discontinued as gonadotropin stimulation is begun in a long protocol.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, randomized study.
  
  
  METHODS
  An outpatient IVF-GIFT program.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred seventy-three patients entering an IVF-GIFT program.
  
  
  METHODS
  Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist in long protocol was either discontinued or continued as gonadotropin stimulation was begun.
  
  
  METHODS
  Luteinizing hormone (LH), E2, and P levels, egg numbers, fertilization rate, number of embryos transferred, day of gonadotropin stimulation, and pregnancy rates (PRs).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pituitary suppression was maintained although GnRH-a was discontinued as gonadotropin stimulation was begun. No spontaneous LH surge was seen, and PRs were increased in the IVF patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study indicates that the advantages gained from use of GnRH-a in the long protocol are not compromised by its early discontinuation.
authors.affiliation: Infertility Centre of Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pantos
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Meimeth-Damianaki
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Vaxevanoglou
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kapetanakis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002064:Buserelin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D015181:Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000628:therapy; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D011247:Pregnancy; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D002064:Buserelin