title: Luteal phase support with 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone versus unsupported cycles in in vitro fertilization: a comparative randomized study.
abstract: This study was designed to determine the efficacy of 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17-OHPc) for luteal phase support in in vitro fertilization (IVF). For this purpose, a total of 86 IVF patients undergoing embryo transfer were randomly allocated to two groups as follows: (1) group A, including 43 patients who received the support of luteal phase through the intramuscular administration of 17-OHPc at a dosage of 341 mg every 3 days, and (2) group B, including 43 patients who received the intramuscular administration of a saline solution as placebo every 3 days. In both groups, the treatment was started within 24 h after embryo transfer until beta-HCG evaluation. In case of positive beta-HCG, it was extended until 12 weeks. Efficacy was assessed using the pregnancy rates, which was, per transfer, statistically significantly higher in group A than in group B (32.5 vs. 18.3% respectively). On the basis of our results, we emphasize the use of 17-OHPc for luteal phase support after IVF and embryo transfer.
authors.affiliation: Physiopathology of Human Reproduction, Papardo Hospital, Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abate
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brigandi
authors.forename: F G
authors.initials: FG
authors.lastname: Abate
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Manti
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Unfer
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Perino
mesh_terms: D019326:17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D002970:Cleavage Stage, Ovum; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female; D008183:Luteal Phase / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D019326:17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone