title: Supplementation with a recombinant human chorionic gonadotropin microdose leads to similar outcomes in ovarian stimulation with recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone using either a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist or antagonist for pituitary suppression.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the outcomes of protocols for ovarian stimulation with recombinant hCG microdose, with GnRH agonists and antagonists for pituitary suppression.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective nonrandomized clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  A private assisted reproduction center.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied 182 patients undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles, allocated into two groups: GnRH agonist group, in which patients received a GnRH agonist (n = 73), and a GnRH antagonist group, in which patients were administered a GnRH antagonist for pituitary suppression (n = 109).
  
  
  METHODS
  Pituitary suppression with GnRH agonist or GnRH antagonist. Ovarian stimulation carried out with recombinant FSH and supplemented with recombinant hCG microdose.
  
  
  METHODS
  Total dose of recombinant FSH and recombinant hCG administered; E(2) concentrations and endometrial width on the day of hCG trigger; number of follicles aspirated, oocytes and mature oocytes retrieved; fertilization, pregnancy (PR), implantation, and miscarriage rates.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The total dose of recombinant FSH and recombinant hCG administered were similar between groups, as were the E(2) concentrations and endometrial width. The number of follicles aspirated, oocytes, and metaphase II oocytes collected were also comparable. There were no statistically significant differences in fertilization, PR, implantation, and miscarriage rates in the GnRH agonist and GnRH antagonist groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  When using recombinant hCG microdose supplementation for controlled ovarian stimulation (COS), there are no differences in laboratory or clinical outcomes with the use of either GnRH antagonist or agonist for pituitary suppression.
authors.affiliation: Fertility-Assisted Fertilization Center, São Paulo, Brazil. cavagna@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cavagna
authors.forename: Luiz Guilherme Louzada
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Maldonado
authors.forename: Tatiana Carvalho
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: de Souza Bonetti
authors.forename: Daniela Paes
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: de Almeida Ferreira Braga
authors.forename: Assumpto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Iaconelli
authors.forename: Edson
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Borges