title: The effectiveness of earlier oocyte retrieval in the case of a premature luteinizing hormone surge on hCG day in in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer cycles.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy of earlier oocyte retrieval in IVF patients with a premature LH surge on hCG day.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred forty IVF patients (164 cycles) with premature LH surge on hCG day were included, retrospectively. We divided them into 2 study groups: LH surge with timed ovum pick-up (OPU) 36 hours after hCG injection (group B, 129 premature cycles), and LH surge with earlier OPU within 36 hours after hCG injection (group C, 35 cycles). Control groups were tubal factor infertility without premature LH surge (group A, 143 cycles).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age (year) was statistically higher in group C than in groups A or B (38.2±5.4 vs. 36.2±4.2 vs. 36.8±4.9, respectively; p=0.012). The serum LH levels (mIU/mL) on hCG day were significantly higher in group B and C than in group A (22.7±14.9 vs. 30.3±15.9 vs. 3.2±2.9, respectively; p>0.001). Among groups A, B, and C, 4.9%, 31.7%, and 51.4% of the cycles, respectively, had no oocytes, and the overall rates of cycle cancellation (OPU cancellation, no oocyte, or no embryos transferrable) were 15.4%, 65.9%, and 74.3%, respectively. The fertilization rate (%) was significantly higher in group B than in group C (73.2±38.9 vs. 47.8±42.9, p=0.024). The clinical pregnancy rate was significantly higher in group C than in groups A and B (44.4% vs. 27.3% vs. 9.1%, respectively, p=0.021). However, the miscarriage rate was also higher in group C than in group B (22% vs. 0%, respectively, p=0.026).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Earlier OPU may not be effective in reducing the risk of cycle cancellation in patients with premature LH surge on hCG day. A larger scale study will be required to reveal the effectiveness of earlier ovum retrieval with premature LH surge.
authors.affiliation: Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cheil General Hospital, Kwandong University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. ; Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bundang Cheil Women's Hospital, Seongnam, Korea.
authors.forename: Min Hye
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Sun Hwa
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Cha
authors.forename: Chan Woo
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Jin Young
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Kwang Moon
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: In Ok
authors.initials: IO
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Mi Kyoung
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Koong
authors.forename: Inn Soo
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Hye Ok
authors.initials: HO
authors.lastname: Kim
keywords: Fertilization in vitro; Luteinizing hormone; Oocyte retrieval; Premature luteinization