title: Stimulation protocols for poor responders and aged women.
abstract: There is a general consensus on the clinical fact that the more embryos replaced the higher pregnancy rates are achieved. For this reason those IVF cycles with a low response and a reduced number of oocytes and embryos will have very few chances of producing a pregnancy. It is very important to diagnose, by means of the anamnesis and hormonal tests which patients are most likely to present a poor response to conventional ovarian stimulation protocols. It is mandatory to know the patient's plasmatic levels of FSH and estradiol together with personal data such as the age and the previous history of the patient. Only young poor responders with a normal basal hormonal profile will have some chances that by applying new protocols and combining new drugs, improve their response and have higher pregnancy rates. For the old poor responders who have already failed to alternative protocols including natural cycles, oocyte donation is the last and best hope.
authors.affiliation: Service of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institut Universitari Dexeus, Paseo Bonanova 67, 08017, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: P N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Barri
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Coroleu
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Martinez
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Veiga
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007265:Inhibins / Q000097:blood; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D018587:Oocyte Donation; D010053:Ovary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011379:Prognosis; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D004958:Estradiol; D007265:Inhibins; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone