title: A comparison of the effects of three different luteal phase support protocols on in vitro fertilization outcomes: a randomized clinical trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effects of three different luteal phase support protocols on pregnancy and implantation rates, as well as luteal phase hormone profile in intracytoplasmic sperm injection-ET cycles.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective, randomized study.
  
  
  METHODS
  A tertiary teaching and research hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred eighty-eight patients who were undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection with a long protocol of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Group 1 (E(2) + P) received daily P plus 4 mg of E(2), group 2 (hCG + P) received P plus 1,500 IU of hCG, and group 3 (P only) received daily vaginal P gel. Blood samples were drawn on the day of hCG administration, as well as 7 and 10 days after the hCG for the E(2) and P measurements.
  
  
  METHODS
  The clinical pregnancy rate.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No difference existed between the E(2) + P and hCG + P groups with respect to pregnancy rate, but it was significantly lower in the P-only group.The implantation rate was significantly lower in the P-only group than in the other groups.The highest miscarriage rate was in the P-only group (38%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In assisted reproductive technology cycles including treatment with GnRH agonist, adding 4 mg of oral E(2) to P during the luteal phase significantly increased the pregnancy and implantation rates and decreased the miscarriage rate compared with the use of P only.
authors.affiliation: Zekai Tahir Burak Woman's Health Education and Research Hospital, Assisted Reproduction Unit, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Turgut
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Var
authors.forename: Esra Ayşin
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Tonguc
authors.forename: Melike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Doğanay
authors.forename: Cavidan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gulerman
authors.forename: Tayfun
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gungor
authors.forename: Leyla
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mollamahmutoglu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D008183:Luteal Phase / Q000187:drug effects*; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011374:Progesterone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic
chemical_list: D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol