Subtle progesterone rise on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin administration is associated with lower live birth rates in women undergoing assisted reproductive technology: a retrospective study with 2,555 fresh embryo transfers.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the association between serum P levels on the day of hCG administration and pregnancy outcome in women undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, prevention of premature ovulation by GnRH analogues, and fresh ET after 5 days of embryo culture.


METHODS
Retrospective, observational, cohort study.


METHODS
Private IVF center.


METHODS
A total of 2,555 women undergoing fresh ET on day 5 in 2,062 GnRH agonist and 493 GnRH antagonist cycles.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Live birth rate.


RESULTS
Live birth rate in cycles with GnRH agonists was significantly lower in women with P levels ≥ 2.0 ng/mL (17.4%) on the day of hCG administration as compared with women with P levels <1.5 ng/mL (24.6%) and 1.5-1.99 ng/mL (26.7%). No such significant differences in live birth rates in cycles with GnRH antagonist could be observed.


CONCLUSIONS
A rise of serum P levels ≥ 2.0 ng/mL on the day of hCG administration is associated with impaired early embryo implantation and reduced live birth rate in cycles with GnRH agonists after day-5 fresh ET.
Center for Reproductive Medicine, Munich, Germany. r.ochsenkuehn@ivf-bbn.de
Robert
R
Ochsenkühn
Andrea
A
Arzberger
Viktoria
V
von Schönfeldt
Julia
J
Gallwas
Nina
N
Rogenhofer
Alexander
A
Crispin
Christian J
CJ
Thaler
Ulrich
U
Noss
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001723:Birth Rate / Q000639:trends*; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004624:Embryo Transfer / Q000639:trends*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy; D050498:Live Birth / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood*; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted / Q000639:trends*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D015415:Biomarkers; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D011374:Progesterone