The luteal phase of nonsupplemented cycles after ovarian superovulation with human menopausal gonadotropin and the gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist Cetrorelix.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the luteal phase of six patients undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) with hMG and a new GnRH antagonist, Cetrorelix, without receiving luteal phase supplementation.


METHODS
Phase II study involving the first six patients who did not receive luteal phase support.


METHODS
Tertiary referral center.


METHODS
Six healthy women undergoing COH for assisted reproductive techniques.


METHODS
Oocyte retrieval was performed 36 hours after hCG administration, followed by embryo transfer 2 days later. No luteal phase supplementation was given.


METHODS
Serum E2, progesterone, LH, and FSH concentrations were measured.


RESULTS
The length of the luteal phase was < or =12 days in three of the six patients. One of the patients in whom the luteal phase was >12 days had a low serum progesterone concentration (2.9 ng/mL) on day 10. Serum LH concentrations decreased after the preovulatory hCG injection in all patients. However, a progressive increase in LH was observed after day 7, reaching normal values.


CONCLUSIONS
Corpus luteum function seems to be impaired in cycles that are stimulated with hMG and the GnRH antagonist Cetrorelix.
Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Dutch-speaking Brussels Free University, Belgium. LRIAAOC@AZ.VUB.AC.BE
C
C
Albano
G
G
Grimbizis
J
J
Smitz
H
H
Riethmüller-Winzen
T
T
Reissmann
A
A
Van Steirteghem
P
P
Devroey
D000328:Adult; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006727:Hormone Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008183:Luteal Phase / Q000187:drug effects*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008596:Menotropins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D011966:Receptors, LHRH / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D013480:Superovulation
D006727:Hormone Antagonists; D011966:Receptors, LHRH; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D008596:Menotropins; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; C062876:cetrorelix