The use of recombinant human LH (lutropin alfa) in the late stimulation phase of assisted reproduction cycles: a double-blind, randomized, prospective study.
BACKGROUND
The effect of recombinant human LH (r-hLH; lutropin alfa) in women undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation with recombinant human FSH (r-hFSH) prior to IVF was investigated.


METHODS
After down-regulation with the GnRH agonist, buserelin, 114 normo-ovulatory women (aged 18-37 years) received r-hFSH alone until the lead follicle reached a diameter of 14 mm. Patients were then randomized in a double-blind fashion to receive r-hFSH in addition to r-hLH, 75 IU s.c., or placebo daily for a maximum of 10 days prior to oocyte retrieval and IVF. The primary end-point was the number of metaphase II oocytes.


RESULTS
There were no significant differences between treatment groups for the primary end-point. Serum estradiol concentrations on the day of HCG administration were significantly higher in the group receiving r-hLH plus r-hFSH than in the group receiving r-hFSH alone (P = 0.0001), but there were no significant differences between the groups in dose and duration of r-hFSH treatment required, oocyte maturation, fertilization rate, pregnancy rate and live birth rate.


CONCLUSIONS
In this patient population, the addition of r-hLH during the late follicular phase of a long GnRH agonist and r-hFSH stimulation cycle provides no further benefit in terms of oocyte maturation or other end-points.
Tarlatzis
B
B
Unit for Human Reproduction, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and Infertility & IVF Centre, Geniki Kliniki, Thessaloníki, Greece. tarlatzis@hol.gr
Tavmergen
E
E
Szamatowicz
M
M
Barash
A
A
Amit
A
A
Levitas
E
E
Shoham
Z
Z
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002064:Buserelin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005300:Fertility Agents, Female / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015292:Glycoprotein Hormones, alpha Subunit / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010060:Ovulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000379:methods*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage
D005300:Fertility Agents, Female; D015292:Glycoprotein Hormones, alpha Subunit; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D002064:Buserelin