Differences in serum LH and FSH levels using depot or daily GnRH agonists in controlled ovarian stimulation: influence on ovarian response and outcome of ART.
OBJECTIVE
To study effects of endogenous LH levels on ovarian response and outcome in ART cycles a controlled study was performed with two patient groups differing in the intensity of pituitary downregulation.


METHODS
Group I (n = 27) received 3.75 mg of the GnRH agonist triptorelin acetate depot, group II (n = 54) was given 0.1 mg triptorelin acetate daily, followed by ovarian stimulation with recombinant FSH.


RESULTS
After downregulation serum LH and FSH levels were significantly lower in group I. Patients of group I needed significantly higher FSH doses to achieve comparable levels of serum estradiol and preovulatory follicles. The number of retrieved oocytes and transferable embryos was lower in group I.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with profound endogenous LH suppression by depot GnRH agonists show higher FSH stimulation dose requirements and lower oocyte number and fertilization rate, indicating a need for minimal LH activity in folliculogenesis and oocyte development.
Sonntag
Barbara
B
Assisted Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Münster, Germany.
Kiesel
Ludwig
L
Nieschlag
Eberhard
E
Behre
Hermann M
HM
D000328:Adult; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D015536:Down-Regulation; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000819:agonists*; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D010050:Ovarian Function Tests; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects*; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000379:methods*; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000187:drug effects; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D017329:Triptorelin Pamoate / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D017329:Triptorelin Pamoate; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D004958:Estradiol; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone