title: Gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist use is associated with increased pregnancy rates in ovulation induction-intrauterine insemination to in vitro fertilization conversions, independent of age and estradiol level on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin administration.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether the use of GnRH antagonist in cycles converted from ovulation induction-IUI to IVF affects cycle outcome and pregnancy rates.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective cohort study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Academic research institution.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred eighty-two consecutive patients with ovulation induction-IUI to IVF conversions undergoing oocyte retrieval conducted at our institution from 2004 to 2006.
  
  
  METHODS
  The relation between observation of fetal heartbeat and GnRH antagonist exposure was evaluated with use of multivariable logistic regression. The difference in intermediate cycle outcomes by antagonist exposure was estimated with use of linear regression.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fetal cardiac activity on early ultrasound, intermediate cycle parameters.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For patients given treatment with a GnRH antagonist, the odds ratio for achieving pregnancy was 2.13 (95% confidence interval = 1.03-4.39) compared with untreated patients, independent of age and E(2) levels on day of hCG. Patients given antagonist had 1.6 more follicles and 2.1 more oocytes retrieved, 1.9 more mature oocytes, and 2.3 more fertilized oocytes, and the fertilization rate was 9.7% higher.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist use in ovulation induction-IUI to IVF conversions was associated with increased pregnancy rates and improved intermediate cycle parameters, controlled for age and E(2) levels on day of hCG. Addition of a GnRH antagonist should be considered in ovulation induction-IUI to IVF conversions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. aquaas@partners.org
authors.forename: Alexander M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Quaas
authors.forename: Stacey A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Missmer
authors.forename: Elizabeth S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Ginsburg