Glucocorticoid administration during transfer of frozen-thawed embryos: a prospective, randomized study.
OBJECTIVE
To establish whether there is any improvement in pregnancy and implantation rates after administration of "low-dose," long-acting glucocorticoids during transfer of cryopreserved-thawed embryos.


METHODS
An IVF unit in a university hospital.


METHODS
Prospective, randomized study. Ninety-nine consecutive transfer cycles of frozen-thawed embryos to the uterine cavity of randomly chosen women diagnosed as having tubal factor infertility only. Fifty-two patients underwent transfer of frozen-thawed embryos and received 0.5 mg of dexamethasone; 47 women (control group) did not receive the drug during transfer.


METHODS
Normal ovulatory patients with tubal factor infertility.


METHODS
Oral dexamethasone administration before, during and after transfer of thawed embryos.


METHODS
Pregnancy and implantation rates.


RESULTS
The pregnancy rate was 13.5% (7/52) in patients treated with the "low-dose" regimen of dexamethasone compared with 12.8% (6/47) in the control group. The implantation rate was similar.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results demonstrated that the use of 0.5 mg dexamethasone for an immuno-suppressive effect, administered for a short period to patients diagnosed as having "pure" tubal factor infertility, did not improve the implantation or pregnancy rates.
Bider
D
D
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Hashomer, Israel.
Amoday
I
I
Yonesh
M
M
Yemini
Z
Z
Mashiach
S
S
Dor
J
J
D000328:Adult; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D010064:Embryo Implantation / Q000187:drug effects; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D005615:Freezing; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D011446:Prospective Studies
D003907:Dexamethasone