Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation does not adversely affect endometrial receptivity in in vitro fertilization cycles.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether exposure of developing endometrium to supraphysiologic E2 levels during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) in IVF cycles inhibits endometrial receptivity.


METHODS
Retrospective analysis of IVF-ET and ovum donation data.


METHODS
Tertiary-care teaching hospital.


METHODS
Four hundred ten patients <33 years of age undergoing IVF-ET and 181 anonymous ovum donors (<33 years of age) and their associated ovum recipients.


METHODS
Implantation, pregnancy, and delivery rates.


RESULTS
Ovarian response to COH (duration of stimulation, peak E2 level, area under the curve for E2 exposure, and number of oocytes retrieved) was similar for IVF-ET patients and ovum donors. Donors were younger than IVF-ET patients (mean age, 27.5 +/- 0.2 years vs. 30.4 +/- 0.1 years). A similar number of embryos with similar number of blastomeres were transferred in IVF-ET patients and ovum recipients. The fragmentation rate at time of transfer differed slightly between groups (5.2 +/- 0.2% vs. 4.3 +/- 0.3%). Implantation, pregnancy, and delivery rates did not differ between IVF-ET patients and recipients of donor oocytes.


CONCLUSIONS
Exposure of the developing endometrium to controlled ovarian hyperstimulation during IVF cycles does not inhibit embryo implantation or affect pregnancy and delivery rates.
Levi
A J
AJ
Pediatric and Reproductive Endocrinology Branch, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
Drews
M R
MR
Bergh
P A
PA
Miller
B T
BT
Scott
R T
RT
D000328:Adult; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010064:Embryo Implantation; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D004717:Endometrium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005300:Fertility Agents, Female / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D008596:Menotropins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D018587:Oocyte Donation; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects*; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D005300:Fertility Agents, Female; D004958:Estradiol; D008596:Menotropins