Ovarian stimulation in in vitro fertilization with or without the "long" gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist protocol: effect on cycle duration and outcome.
OBJECTIVE
To study the correlation between stimulation duration of IVF cycles, with and without GnRH agonist (GnRH-a), and cycle outcome.


METHODS
Retrospective analysis of data.


METHODS
University-affiliated IVF clinic.


METHODS
998 IVF cycles in which long GnRH-a protocol was used, and 155 cycles with hMG only.


METHODS
IVF cycles.


METHODS
Cycle outcome in number of oocytes and embryos, and pregnancy rate.


RESULTS
The mean stimulation duration (+/-SD) was 9.6+/-1.7 and 6.7+/-1.0 for the GnRH-a and the hMG-only cycles, respectively (P<0.01). In the GnRH-a group, no statistically significant correlation between cycle duration and pregnancy rate was found. Interestingly, the patients treated for 9 days had the highest number of oocytes retrieved and the highest pregnancy rate. Stimulation duration was not affected by age in either protocol. GnRH-a cycles yielded a significantly higher number of oocytes and embryos compared to cycles without GnRH-a. The pregnancy rate was similar in both groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Stimulation duration in the long GnRH-a protocol group was significantly longer than in the hMG-only group. Stimulation duration was not affected by age. No statistically significant correlation was found between stimulation duration and cycle outcome in the long protocol group.
Beloosesky
R
R
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rambam Medical Center, and Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.
Kol
S
S
Lightman
A
A
Itskovitz-Eldor
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000652:urine; D006801:Humans; D008186:Luteolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008596:Menotropins / Q000652:urine; D008875:Middle Aged; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D017329:Triptorelin Pamoate / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D008186:Luteolytic Agents; D017329:Triptorelin Pamoate; D008596:Menotropins; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone