title: Should we still advise infertile couples to use (barrier) contraception before IVF down-regulation?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the outcome of spontaneous conceptions in women who received GnRH agonists during mid-luteal phase down-regulation before IVF treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective analysis of case records and study of the literature.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two university-affiliated reproductive medicine units.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-three women who conceived spontaneously after starting down-regulation with a GnRH agonist before controlled ovarian hyperstimulation.
  
  
  METHODS
  None.
  
  
  METHODS
  Course and clinical outcome of pregnancies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventy-four pregnancies occurred in 73 women who received a GnRH agonist. Of these patients, 6 (8%) had a biochemical pregnancy, 6 (8%) had an ectopic pregnancy, 21 (28%) miscarried, and 41 pregnancies resulted in successfully delivered babies; there were 2 cases of congenital abnormalities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These cases, together with other published data, suggest that pregnancy outcome is not adversely affected by exposure to GnRH agonist during luteal-phase down-regulation. A central register of pregnant women who received a GnRH agonist is needed.
authors.affiliation: Monash-IVF, Epworth Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. peter.plateau@az.vub.ac.be
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Platteau
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gabbe
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Famelos
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kovacs
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Healy
mesh_terms: D002064:Buserelin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015536:Down-Regulation; D005260:Female; D005300:Fertility Agents, Female / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000628:therapy*; D016729:Leuprolide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D017274:Nafarelin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D005300:Fertility Agents, Female; D017274:Nafarelin; D016729:Leuprolide; D002064:Buserelin