Exogenous luteinizing hormone in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for assisted reproduction techniques.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the role of exogenous LH in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for assisted reproductive technologies.


METHODS
Prospective randomized study.


METHODS
SISMER fertility unit.


METHODS
Women showing a hyporesponsiveness to FSH under GnRH agonist down-regulation were randomized into three groups: group A (n = 54) received an increased dosage of FSH; group B (n = 54) was administered recombinant LH in addition to the increased dose of FSH; group C (n = 22) was given additional FSH and LH using hMG as a combined drug. Fifty-four age-matched women with no need to increase the FSH dose were included as a control group (D).


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Implantation and live birth rate per started cycles.


RESULTS
In group B, the pregnancy and implantation rates were statistically higher when compared with groups A and C and did not differ from the control group for normal response. The live birth rate was similar in groups B and D but was half as high in groups A and C.


CONCLUSIONS
Hyporesponsiveness to FSH could be related to iatrogenic LH deficiency that, in turn, could affect oocyte competence. Addition of a small amount of recombinant LH is able to rescue oocyte competence to produce viable embryos.
Ferraretti
Anna Pia
AP
SISMER Reproductive Unit, Bologna, Italy. Annapia.Ferraretti@sismer.it
Gianaroli
Luca
L
Magli
Maria C
MC
D'angelo
Arianna
A
Farfalli
Valeria
V
Montanaro
Nadia
N
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004351:Drug Resistance; D010064:Embryo Implantation; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome / Q000453:epidemiology; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted
D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone