Comparison of a single half-dose, long-acting form of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog (GnRH-a) and a short-acting form of GnRH-a for pituitary suppression in a controlled ovarian hyperstimulation program.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the effect of a single low-dose leuprolide acetate depot (LA depot) and leuprolide acetate (LA) on pituitary down-regulation in women undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH).


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
An IVF unit of an academic medical center.


METHODS
Women who underwent COH and IVF-ET.


METHODS
Pituitary down-regulation with half-dose LA depot (1.88 mg sc, group 1) or LA (0.5 mg/d sc, group 2) was started on menstrual days 21-23.


METHODS
The concentrations of estradiol (E(2)), FSH, LH, gonadotropin dosages, the numbers of oocytes retrieved, oocytes fertilized and embryos transferred, and pregnancy rates of the two groups were compared.


RESULTS
A total of 289 patients in group 1 and 158 in group 2 were included. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in baseline concentrations of E(2) and FSH, concentrations of E(2), FSH, and LH during hCG administration, gonadotropin dosage, the number of oocytes retrieved, the number of oocytes fertilized and embryos transferred, and pregnancy rates.


CONCLUSIONS
Single half-dose LA depot offers a useful alternative for pituitary suppression in ovarian stimulation for IVF.
Hsieh
Y
Y
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, China Medical College Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
Tsai
H
H
Chang
C
C
Lo
H
H
D000328:Adult; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D005300:Fertility Agents, Female / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D016729:Leuprolide / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000379:methods*; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D005300:Fertility Agents, Female; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D016729:Leuprolide