Luteinizing hormone concentrations after gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist administration do not influence pregnancy rates in in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the impact of circulating LH concentrations during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation on the outcome of IVF.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
University hospital.


METHODS
Two-hundred seventy women who had a short stimulation protocol with GnRH antagonist and ovarian stimulation with recombinant FSH (rFSH).


METHODS
GnRH antagonist and rFSH were administered SC; blood samples were collected on the day of GnRH antagonist administration, 1 day after, and on the day of hCG administration.


METHODS
A threshold of 0.5 IU/L on the day of hCG was chosen to discriminate between women with LH concentrations <or=0.5 IU/L (group A, n = 119) or >0.5 IU/L (group B, n = 151).


RESULTS
The two groups were comparable with regard to the clinical parameters. In group A, significantly lower LH concentrations were observed on day 9 of the cycle and on the day of hCG administration. The numbers of oocytes retrieved, embryos obtained, and embryos cryopreserved were significantly higher in group A compared with group B. The proportion of clinical pregnancies was similar in the two groups (21.1% vs. 22.7 % per ET).


CONCLUSIONS
In GnRH antagonist and rFSH protocols, suppressed serum LH concentrations do not have any influence on the final stages of follicular maturation, pregnancy rates, or outcomes.
Merviel
Philippe
P
Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, Hôpital Tenon, Paris, France. philippe.merviel@fcvnet.net
Antoine
Jean-Marie
JM
Mathieu
Emmanuelle
E
Millot
Françoise
F
Mandelbaum
Jacqueline
J
Uzan
Serge
S
D000328:Adult; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D006728:Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D006728:Hormones; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone