Characteristics of consecutive in vitro fertilization cycles among patients treated with follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and human menopausal gonadotropin versus FSH alone.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the endocrine responses of patients who first received hMG plus FSH, then were treated in a subsequent cycle with FSH alone.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
An academic research environment.


METHODS
Ninety-six women with pituitary down-regulation who underwent two sequential IVF treatments, the first with combined hMG and FSH and the second with FSH alone.


METHODS
Duration of stimulation, serum estradiol level on the day of hCG administration, amount of gonadotropin used, number of oocytes retrieved, number of oocytes fertilized, and selected preembryo morphologic features.


RESULTS
No difference in the mean duration of stimulation was observed between the treatment cycles among patients who received hMG and FSH (11.9 days) followed by FSH alone (11.7 days). The mean number of oocytes retrieved, the mean number of oocytes fertilized, the percentage of preembryo fragmentation, and the preembryo cell number at transfer did not differ significantly between the stimulation protocols. The cumulative amount of gonadotropin used during stimulation was slightly greater in the cycles stimulated with FSH alone, but this difference was not significant (29.4 ampules of hMG plus FSH versus 31.8 ampules of FSH alone). Serum estradiol levels measured on the day of hCG administration during stimulation with hMG and FSH (1,382 pg/mL) were higher than those measured during stimulation with FSH alone (1,149 pg/mL).


CONCLUSIONS
Follicular response and preembryo quality were not significantly different when patients were treated first with hMG and FSH and then with FSH alone in a subsequent cycle. Similarities in ovarian response and preembryo characteristics, as well as differences in estradiol patterns seen in each stimulation setting, should be anticipated when patients receive these protocols.
Sills
E S
ES
The New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, New York, USA.
Schattman
G L
GL
Veeck
L L
LL
Liu
H C
HC
Prasad
M
M
Rosenwaks
Z
Z
D000328:Adult; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008596:Menotropins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011247:Pregnancy
D004958:Estradiol; D008596:Menotropins; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone