Luteal support with both estradiol and progesterone after clomiphene citrate stimulation for in vitro fertilization.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if pregnancy rates (PRs) for clomiphene citrate (CC)-stimulated IVF-ET can be increased by luteal support with E2 and P.


METHODS
Prospective randomized crossover clinical study.


METHODS
Infertile women volunteers in an academic research environment.


METHODS
Ninety-three infertile women underwent a total of 143 IVF-ET cycle using CC for ovulation induction.


METHODS
Each woman received either no luteal support (control group) or luteal support with both oral E2 (2 mg three times daily) starting on the day of retrieval and vaginal P suppositories (100 mg twice daily) starting on the day of ET.


METHODS
Clinical PR.


RESULTS
In 79 of 143 (55%) of the cycles, at least one embryo was transferred. Compared with the control group (n = 35 cycles), the luteal support group (n = 44 cycles) had a significantly higher PR per retrieval (control: 2% versus luteal support: 16%) and were older (control: 33 +/- 4 versus luteal support: 35 +/- 4 years; mean +/- SEM). They did not differ in terms of E2 or P levels, endometrial thickness on the day of hCG, number of follicles > 16 mm in diameter, mature oocytes retrieved, or embryos transferred.


CONCLUSIONS
Luteal support with both E2 and P significantly increase the clinical PRs for CC-stimulated IVF-ET.
Hurd
W W
WW
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA.
Randolph
J F
JF
Christman
G M
GM
Ansbacher
R
R
Menge
A C
AC
Gell
J S
JS
D000328:Adult; D002996:Clomiphene / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005300:Fertility Agents, Female / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011446:Prospective Studies
D005300:Fertility Agents, Female; D002996:Clomiphene; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol