title: GnRH antagonist in IVF poor-responder patients: results of a randomized trial.
abstract: The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the efficacy of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone antagonist (GnRH) in comparison with the standard long protocol in poor-responder patients. Sixty patients with poor ovarian response in previous treatment cycles were randomized into two groups: group A (n = 30) was stimulated with a standard long protocol, and group B (n = 30) received GnRH antagonist. Vaginal ultrasound was performed to evaluate ovarian response. There was a significantly reduced duration of ovarian stimulation (9.8 +/- 0.8 versus 14.6 +/- 1.2, P = 0.001) in group B in comparison with group A, and a reduced number of ampoules was used in group B (49.3 +/- 4.3 versus 72.6 +/- 6.8, P = 0.0001). In group B, the number of oocytes retrieved was significantly higher than in group A (5.6 +/- 1.6 versus 4.3 +/- 2.2, P = 0.02) and there was an increased number of follicles with a diameter >15 mm at human chorionic gonadotrophin administration in group B (P = 0.0001). Fewer cycles were cancelled with the use of an antagonist protocol. Five pregnancies (17% for embryo transfer) were obtained with GnRH antagonist protocol and two (7% for embryo transfer) with GnRH agonist protocol.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine, University of L'Aquila, Italy. robertomarci@tin.it
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Marci
authors.forename: Donatella
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Caserta
authors.forename: Vincenza
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Dolo
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tatone
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pavan
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moscarini
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006727:Hormone Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D009865:Oocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D006727:Hormone Antagonists; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; C062876:cetrorelix