Phytoestrogens may improve the pregnancy rate in in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer cycles: a prospective, controlled, randomized trial.
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.
Unfer
Vittorio
V
Gynecology Association Unfer Costabile (A.G.UN.CO.), Obstetrics and Gynecology Center, Rome, Italy. vittorio.unfer@lycos.com
Casini
Maria Luisa
ML
Gerli
Sandro
S
Costabile
Loredana
L
Mignosa
Marcella
M
Di Renzo
Gian Carlo
GC
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
D048789:Phytoestrogens; D013607:Tablets; D011374:Progesterone