Extension of GnRH agonist through the luteal phase to improve the outcome of intracytoplasmic sperm injection.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of continuous administration of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) during the luteal phase in an intracytoplasmic sperm injection program.


METHODS
One hundred eighty-one women underwent a down-regulation protocol of GnRHa administered from the 21st day of the preceding cycle. Patients were randomized at initiation of stimulation by a computer-generated list. Group 1 patients (n = 90) were continuously administered GnRHa for 12 days after embryo transfer, while in group 2 patients GnRHa was stopped on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin administration.


RESULTS
Demographic parameters, infertility etiologies, number of gonadotropin ampules used, number of mature oocytes recovered, rates of testicular sperm usage, number of embryos transferred, and cycle and transfer cancellation rates were similar in both groups. Clinical pregnancy rates, implantation rates and live birth rates did not show a significant difference.


CONCLUSIONS
Extending GnRHa treatment through the luteal phase appeared not to have a significant impact on pregnancy or implantation rates in intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles.
Isikoglu
Mete
M
Antalya IVF, Antalya, Turkey. misikoglu@hotmail.com
Ozgur
Kemal
K
Oehninger
Sergio
S
D000328:Adult; D010064:Embryo Implantation / Q000187:drug effects*; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D005300:Fertility Agents, Female / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000819:agonists*; D006801:Humans; D016729:Leuprolide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008183:Luteal Phase / Q000187:drug effects; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D005300:Fertility Agents, Female; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D016729:Leuprolide