Triggering final oocyte maturation with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) versus human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in breast cancer patients undergoing fertility preservation: an extended experience.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the cycle outcomes and the incidence of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), when oocyte maturation was triggered by gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) versus human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in breast cancer patients undergoing fertility preservation.


METHODS
One hundred twenty-nine women aged ≤ 45 years, diagnosed with stage ≤ 3 breast cancer, with normal ovarian reserve who desired fertility preservation were included in the retrospective cohort study. Ovarian stimulation was achieved utilizing letrozole and gonadotropins. Oocyte maturation was triggered with GnRHa or hCG. Baseline AMH levels, number of oocytes, maturation and fertilization rates, number of embryos, and the incidence of OHSS was recorded.


RESULTS
The serum AMH levels were similar between GnRHa and hCG groups (2.7 ± 1.9 vs. 2.1 ± 1.8; p = 0.327). There was one case of mild or moderate OHSS in the GnRHa group compared to 12 in the hCG group (2.1 % vs. 14.4 %, p = 0.032). The maturation and fertilization rates, and the number of cryopreserved embryos were significantly higher in the GnRHa group.


CONCLUSIONS
GnRHa trigger improved cycle outcomes as evidenced by the number of mature oocytes and cryopreserved embryos, while significantly reducing the risk of OHSS in breast cancer patients undergoing fertility preservation.
Laboratory of Molecular Reproduction & Fertility Preservation, Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA.
Jhansi
J
Reddy
Volkan
V
Turan
Giuliano
G
Bedoschi
Fred
F
Moy
Kutluk
K
Oktay
D000328:Adult; D054304:Anti-Mullerian Hormone / Q000097:blood; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D059247:Fertility Preservation; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000819:agonists; D006801:Humans; D059471:In Vitro Oocyte Maturation Techniques / Q000379:methods; D000077289:Letrozole; D009570:Nitriles / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016471:Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000379:methods; D014230:Triazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D009570:Nitriles; D014230:Triazoles; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D000077289:Letrozole; D054304:Anti-Mullerian Hormone