title: GnRH antagonist versus long GnRH agonist protocol in poor responders undergoing IVF: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This is the first published report of a prospective, randomized, controlled trial comparing a fixed, multi-dose GnRH antagonist protocol with a long GnRH agonist protocol in poor responders undergoing IVF.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-six poor responders were randomized into two groups: the study group received 0.25 mg of cetrorelix daily starting on day 6 of stimulation; the control group received 600 microg of buserelin acetate daily starting in the mid-luteal phase of the preceding cycle. Both groups were given a fixed dose of recombinant FSH (300 IU daily) for stimulation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant differences in the cycle cancellation rates, duration of stimulation, consumption of gonadotrophins, and mean numbers of mature follicles, oocytes and embryos obtained. The implantation rates were similar, but the number of embryos transferred was significantly higher for the antagonist group (2.32 +/- 0.58 versus 1.50 +/- 0.83; P = 0.01). The pregnancy rates were also higher in the antagonist group, but the difference was not statistically significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A fixed multi-dose GnRH antagonist protocol is feasible for patients who are poor responders on a long agonist protocol; however, our study failed to demonstrate an overall improvement in ovarian responsiveness. Clinical outcomes may be improved by developing more flexible antagonist regimens, an approach that requires further evaluation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China. lpcheung@cuhk.edu.hk
authors.forename: Lai-Ping
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Cheung
authors.forename: Po-Mui
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.forename: Ingrid Hung
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Lok
authors.forename: Tony Tak-Yu
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Chiu
authors.forename: Sum-Yee
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Yeung
authors.forename: Ching-Ching
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Tjer
authors.forename: Christopher John
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Haines
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002064:Buserelin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004624:Embryo Transfer / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005300:Fertility Agents, Female / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000819:agonists* / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006727:Hormone Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017211:Treatment Failure
chemical_list: D005300:Fertility Agents, Female; D006727:Hormone Antagonists; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; C062876:cetrorelix; D002064:Buserelin