Impact of luteal phase support on pregnancy rates in intrauterine insemination cycles: a prospective randomized study.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the impact of luteal phase support on pregnancy rates in ovarian stimulation and intrauterine insemination (IUI) cycles with gonadotropins in couples with unexplained infertility.


METHODS
Prospective randomized controlled trial.


METHODS
University-based infertility clinic.


METHODS
Two hundred fourteen couples with unexplained infertility who were treated during 427 ovarian stimulation and IUI cycles with recombinant FSH.


METHODS
Patients underwent ovarian stimulation with recombinant FSH combined with IUI. Patients randomized into the study group (n = 109) received luteal phase support in the form of vaginal progesterone gel (Crinone 8% gel). Patients randomized into the control group (n = 105) received no luteal phase support.


METHODS
Clinical pregnancy and live birth rate per cycle and per patient.


RESULTS
Demographic data were found to be homogeneous between the study and control groups. Clinical pregnancy rates per cycle and per patient were significantly higher in the study group (21.1% and 39.4%, respectively) compared with the control group (12.7% and 23.8%, respectively). Live birth rate per cycle and per patient was also significantly higher in patients with luteal support (17.4% and 35.8%, respectively) compared with control subjects (9.3% and 18.1%, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Luteal phase support with vaginal progesterone gel significantly affects the success of ovarian stimulation and IUI cycles in patients with unexplained infertility.
Erdem
Ahmet
A
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gazi University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
Erdem
Mehmet
M
Atmaca
Songül
S
Guler
Ismail
I
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007315:Insemination, Artificial / Q000379:methods*; D007317:Insemination, Artificial, Homologous; D008183:Luteal Phase / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000379:methods; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility; D014621:Vagina
D005782:Gels; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011374:Progesterone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone