title: GnRH-antagonist programming versus GnRH agonist protocol: a randomized trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Testing the ability to program IVF GnRH-antagonist cycles to avoid weekend oocyte retrieval.
  
  
  METHODS
  Preliminary randomized clinical trial. Patients presenting an indication for IVF or IVF-ICSI were assigned into either the Treatment Group - GnRH antagonist protocol, programmed to start stimulatory agents on a Friday, with oral 2mg estradiol valerate twice a day from the 2nd day of cycle until the first Friday to follow, or to the Control Group - long luteal GnRH agonist protocol.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The performance of 27 Treatment Group patients and 24 Control Group patients was analyzed. Cycle dynamics were not clinically or statistically different except for a significant difference in the number of follicles measuring ≥18 mm on hCG administration day. There were no differences in the number of aspirated ova, fertilization rates, embryo quality or number of embryos to be transferred. Pregnancy rate was 41.7% in the Treatment Group and 50% in the Control Group (P>0.5). Only one patient assigned to the Treatment Group had a weekend retrieval.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Preliminary results demonstrate no compromise related to follicular estrogen programming in a GnRH antagonist protocol and provide reassurance regarding the ability to achieve programming goals.
authors.affiliation: The IVF Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Meir Medical Center, 59 Tschernihovsky St., Kfar Saba 44299, Israel. Electronic address: anat.klement@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Anat
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hershko Klement
authors.affiliation: The IVF Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Meir Medical Center, 59 Tschernihovsky St., Kfar Saba 44299, Israel.
authors.forename: Arie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Berkovitz
authors.affiliation: The IVF Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Meir Medical Center, 59 Tschernihovsky St., Kfar Saba 44299, Israel.
authors.forename: Amir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wiser
authors.affiliation: The IVF Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Meir Medical Center, 59 Tschernihovsky St., Kfar Saba 44299, Israel.
authors.forename: Ofer
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Gonen
authors.affiliation: The IVF Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Meir Medical Center, 59 Tschernihovsky St., Kfar Saba 44299, Israel.
authors.forename: Keren
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Amichay
authors.affiliation: The IVF Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Meir Medical Center, 59 Tschernihovsky St., Kfar Saba 44299, Israel.
authors.forename: Ilan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.affiliation: The IVF Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Meir Medical Center, 59 Tschernihovsky St., Kfar Saba 44299, Israel.
authors.forename: Yehudith
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ghetler
authors.affiliation: The IVF Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Meir Medical Center, 59 Tschernihovsky St., Kfar Saba 44299, Israel. Electronic address: adrian.shulman@clalit.org.il.
authors.forename: Adrian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shulman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D005260:Female; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000819:agonists* / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D006801:Humans; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D004958:Estradiol
keywords: Drug administration schedule; In vitro fertilization; Oocyte retrieval; Patient schedule; Pituitary hormone release inhibiting hormones