title: A comparison between r-LH and urinary supplements containing LH activity in patients undergoing the microdose GnRH agonist flare protocol for in-vitro fertilization: a pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to compare pregnancy rates and stimulation parameters in patients with diminished ovarian reserve, who were treated with recombinant human luteinizing hormone (r-LH) or menopausal gonadotropins (hMG), as part of a microdose flare protocol.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective cohort study was performed. Comparisons between the group that was stimulated with r-LH plus follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) to those treated with hMG and FSH, were performed. Measurements included: medication doses, number of oocyte collected, number of embryos obtained, pregnancy and clinical pregnancy rates.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients in the r-LH group (N.=40) had significant higher clinical pregnancy rates (33% vs. 14%; P=0.04) and used lower dose of LH (1938 IU vs. 2807 IU; P=0.02) compared to patients that were stimulated with hMG (N.=39).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  r-LH may offer advantages for the treatment of diminished ovarian reserve when performing a microdose flare protocol when compared to hMG. Both larger and prospective studies should be carried out to confirm these findings.
authors.affiliation: McGill Reproductive Center, McGill University, Royal Victoria Hospital, Montreal, Canada - michael.dahan@muhc.mcgill.ca.
authors.forename: Tal
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shavit
authors.forename: Mohammed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Agdi
authors.forename: Weon Y
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Son
authors.forename: Josseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hasson
authors.forename: Michael H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Dahan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005300:Fertility Agents, Female / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods*; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008596:Menotropins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D065851:Ovarian Reserve / Q000187:drug effects; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000379:methods; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D005300:Fertility Agents, Female; D008596:Menotropins; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone