title: Mild ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization: are we ready to change? A meta-analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the efficacy of mild ovarian stimulation versus conventional stimulation in in vitro fertilization (IVF).
  
  
  METHODS
  Meta-analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systemic literature search was carried out for prospective randomised clinical trials. We electronically searched using PubMed, Medline and Embase for all the studies published from 1990 to December 2011.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mild ovarian stimulation IVF that uses lower doses and/or shorter duration of gonadotrophins in GnRH antagonist co-treated cycle compared with conventional stimulation IVF.
  
  
  METHODS
  Live birth rates per started cycle and ongoing pregnancy rates per started cycle of IVF.
  
  
  RESULTS
  On live birth rate, there was a significant difference in favour of the conventional stimulation [70/444 (15.7%) mild vs. 78/325 (24%) conventional] (OR 0.59, CI 0.41-0.85, p = 0.004). Similar findings were observed in the ongoing pregnancy data [140/696 (20%) mild vs. 144/547 (26%) in favour of conventional stimulation] (OR 0.72, CI 0.55-0.93, p = 0.01). The sub-analysis of two studies showed a statistically significant reduction of hyperstimulation syndrome in favour of the mild stimulation (OR 0.27, CI 0.11-0.66).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This analysis presents strong evidence in favour of conventional stimulation IVF, which therefore should currently be considered a treatment of choice for patients requiring IVF treatment.
authors.affiliation: Reproductive Medicine Unit, University of Stellenbosch, Tygerberg, South Africa.
authors.forename: Thabo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Matsaseng
authors.forename: Thinus
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kruger
authors.forename: Wilhelm
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Steyn
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods*; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D006801:Humans; D050498:Live Birth; D016239:MEDLINE; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone