Selective early elimination of luteal support in assisted reproduction cycles using a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist during ovarian stimulation.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if women undergoing GnRH agonist-hMG stimulated IVF cycles can undergo successful discontinuation of luteal phase support.


METHODS
A protocol for selective discontinuation of luteal phase support was evaluated prospectively in women undergoing assisted reproduction cycles.


METHODS
A tertiary care institutional-based assisted reproduction program.


METHODS
One hundred eighty-eight women who conceived after an IVF or zygote intrafallopian transfer cycle including a GnRH agonist between January 1994 and June 1997.


METHODS
Women with serum progesterone levels of > or = 60 ng/mL at 4 weeks' gestation were selected for discontinuation of their luteal phase support.


METHODS
Delivery rate.


RESULTS
Sixty-three women (62.4%) met the criteria for discontinuation of luteal phase support. There were no differences in the mean age, peak E2 levels, number of follicles, number of embryos transferred, or delivery rates (85.7% versus 78.9%) between the women who did and those who did not have discontinuation of their progesterone supplementation.


CONCLUSIONS
These data reveal that luteal phase support can be discontinued successfully for selective women undergoing IVF who are receiving a GnRH agonist.
Stovall
D W
DW
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Iowa College of Medicine, Iowa City, USA.
Van Voorhis
B J
BJ
Sparks
A E
AE
Adams
L M
LM
Syrop
C H
CH
D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D005300:Fertility Agents, Female / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D008183:Luteal Phase / Q000187:drug effects*; D008596:Menotropins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011966:Receptors, LHRH / Q000819:agonists*; D012099:Reproductive Techniques; D017388:Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer
D005300:Fertility Agents, Female; D011966:Receptors, LHRH; D011374:Progesterone; D008596:Menotropins