Continuous administration of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist during the luteal phase in IVF.
BACKGROUND
It has been reported that ceasing the administration of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist causes a profound suppression of circulating serum gonadotrophins. A comparative prospective and randomized study was conducted to investigate the effect of continuous administration of GnRH agonist during the luteal phase in an ovarian stimulation programme for IVF.


METHODS
GnRH agonist was administered intranasally from the midluteal phase of the previous cycle, and pure FSH administration started on cycle day 7. In the continuous-long protocol (cL) group (n = 161 ), GnRH agonist administration was continued until 14 days after oocyte retrieval. In the long protocol (L) group (n = 158 ), GnRH agonist was administered until the day before human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) administration.


RESULTS
The implantation rate and live birth rate per unit of transferred embryos were significantly higher in the cL group than the L group (P < 0.05 ). Serum LH and FSH concentrations on the day of, and 1 day after, HCG administration were significantly lower in the L group than the cL group (P < 0.01 ).


CONCLUSIONS
Continuation of GnRH agonist administration during the luteal phase might facilitate implantation, and prevent the profound suppression of serum gonadotrophins.
Fujii
S
S
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hirosaki University School of Medicine, Hirosaki, Aomori, Japan. shunsaku@cc.hirosaki-u.ac.jp
Sato
S
S
Fukui
A
A
Kimura
H
H
Kasai
G
G
Saito
Y
Y
D000281:Administration, Intranasal; D000328:Adult; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010064:Embryo Implantation; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000819:agonists*; D006801:Humans; D008183:Luteal Phase; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011446:Prospective Studies
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone