title: The effect of luteal phase support protocol on cycle outcome and luteal phase hormone profile in long agonist protocol intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles: a randomized clinical trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the effect of luteal phase support protocol on cycle outcome and luteal phase hormone profile, in long agonist protocol intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective randomized trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Private infertility center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred seventy-four women undergoing first ICSI cycles were randomized after ovum pickup into three groups of luteal support.
  
  
  METHODS
  Group I received IM P (P(4)) only, group II received P(4) + oral E(2) valerate, group III received P(4) + hCG.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pregnancy rate (PR), implantation rate, rates of multiple pregnancy and miscarriage, and midluteal serum E(2) and P(4), and midluteal E(2):P(4) ratio.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The PR and implantation rates were significantly higher in group II compared to group I and the miscarriage rate was significantly lower in group II compared with group I. Midluteal E(2) was significantly higher in group II compared with group I. The decline in E(2) after ovum pickup was lowest in group II, highest in group I. The midluteal E(2):P(4) ratio was significantly higher in group II compared with groups I and III.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The E(2) luteal phase supplementation in long GnRH-agonist (GnRH-a) protocol ICSI cycles resulted in better cycle outcome and better luteal phase hormone profile.
authors.affiliation: Mansoura Integrated Fertility Center, Mansoura, Egypt. meghanem87@gmail.com
authors.forename: Mohamad E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Ghanem
authors.forename: Ehab E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Sadek
authors.forename: Laila A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Elboghdady
authors.forename: Adel S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Helal
authors.forename: Anas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gamal
authors.forename: Amany
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Eldiasty
authors.forename: Nagwa I
authors.initials: NI
authors.lastname: Bakre
authors.forename: Maha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Houssen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004967:Estrogens / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000628:therapy*; D008183:Luteal Phase / Q000097:blood* / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D004967:Estrogens