Duration of progesterone-in-oil support after in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer: a randomized, controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the efficacy of a short P-in-oil protocol (11 days) in comparison with a traditional P-in-oil protocol (6 weeks) after IVF and embryo transfer.


METHODS
Prospective randomized, controlled trial.


METHODS
Tertiary referral reproductive medicine unit.


METHODS
The first IVF-embryo transfer cycle of women<or=37 years old.


METHODS
Either the standard protocol, 50 mg of IM P-in-oil daily for 6 weeks (group 1) or the study protocol, 50 mg of IM P-in-oil daily for 11 days (group 2).


METHODS
Clinical pregnancy, ongoing pregnancy, and live birth rates.


RESULTS
One hundred one patients were enrolled (48 in group 1, 53 in group 2). Mean age (31.8 years vs. 32.7 years) and reasons for infertility were not different between the groups. Despite higher embryo quality in group 1 than in group 2 (60.3 vs. 51.6), clinical (63.0% vs. 62.7%) and ongoing (58.7% vs. 51.0%) pregnancy rates (PR) were not significantly different. Live birth rates (52.2% vs. 49.0%) were not significantly different.


CONCLUSIONS
Pregnancy and live birth rates were not different between the two groups, suggesting that the common practice of lengthy (>or=6 weeks) P support of IVF pregnancies may be unnecessary.
Goudge
Christine S
CS
Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55454, USA.
Nagel
Theodore C
TC
Damario
Mark A
MA
D000328:Adult; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004304:Dosage Forms; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D010064:Embryo Implantation / Q000187:drug effects; D004624:Embryo Transfer / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000628:therapy*; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008297:Male; D009821:Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011247:Pregnancy; D011374:Progesterone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D004304:Dosage Forms; D009821:Oils; D011374:Progesterone