title: Ovulation by repeated human chorionic gonadotrophin in 'empty follicle syndrome' yields a twin clinical pregnancy.
abstract: This case illustrates the possibility of obtaining oocytes that fertilize and cleave normally after the administration of a second ovulatory dose of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) in a case of 'empty follicle syndrome'. The present patient underwent ovarian stimulation with gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogue (GnRHa)/menotropin for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). After the failure of the first oocyte retrieval, a second dose of HCG was administered to trigger ovulation. A total of 13 oocytes was retrieved during the second procedure and 11 good quality embryos were obtained (fertilization and cleavage rates of 92 and 91% respectively). No pregnancy was achieved after the replacement of three embryos. In a subsequent cycle stimulated with clomiphene citrate, three frozen-thawed embryos were replaced and a twin pregnancy was achieved. The patient delivered two healthy babies at term.
authors.affiliation: Center for Reproductive Medicine, Dutch-Speaking Brussels Free University, Belgium.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ubaldi
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Nagy
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Janssenwillen
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Smitz
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Van Steirteghem
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Devroey
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002064:Buserelin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000473:pathology*; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011272:Pregnancy, Multiple; D013577:Syndrome
chemical_list: D002064:Buserelin