title: Phytoestrogens may improve the pregnancy rate in in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer cycles: a prospective, controlled, randomized trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the effectiveness of i.m. P and i.m. P plus oral phytoestrogens for luteal phase support in patients undergoing IVF-ET cycles.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, controlled, randomized trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  University Hospital, Perugia, Italy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred thirteen infertile patients undergoing IVF-ET were included in the study. The inclusion criteria were use of a GnRH agonist for pituitary down-regulation and age <40 years. The total number of cycles performed was 274.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were assigned to receive either i.m. P (50 mg daily) plus placebo or P (50 mg daily) plus phytoestrogen supplementation (1,500 mg daily) for luteal phase support starting from the evening of oocyte retrieval until either a serum pregnancy test result was negative or embryonic heartbeat was sonographically confirmed.
  
  
  METHODS
  The outcomes of IVF-ET were evaluated in both study groups in terms of implantation rate, biochemical pregnancy rate (PR), clinical PR, spontaneous abortion rate, and ongoing pregnancy/delivered rate.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Statistically significant higher values for implantation rate, clinical PR, and ongoing pregnancy/delivered rate were recorded in the patients who received P plus phytoestrogens for luteal phase support in comparison with patients receiving P and placebo.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although the results of this study encourage the use of phytoestrogens for luteal phase support in patients undergoing IVF-ET program, more studies are necessary to support the hypothesis that phytoestrogens have a beneficial effect in IVF cycles.
authors.affiliation: Gynecology Association Unfer Costabile (A.G.UN.CO.), Obstetrics and Gynecology Center, Rome, Italy. vittorio.unfer@lycos.com
authors.forename: Vittorio
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Unfer
authors.forename: Maria Luisa
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Casini
authors.forename: Sandro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gerli
authors.forename: Loredana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Costabile
authors.forename: Marcella
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mignosa
authors.forename: Gian Carlo
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Di Renzo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D010064:Embryo Implantation; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000628:therapy*; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008183:Luteal Phase; D048789:Phytoestrogens / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D011374:Progesterone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013607:Tablets
chemical_list: D048789:Phytoestrogens; D013607:Tablets; D011374:Progesterone