GnRH agonist and GnRH antagonist protocols: comparison of outcomes among good-prognosis patients using national surveillance data

• Published in: Reproductive biomedicine online 2014-09, Vol.29 (3), p.299-304
• Main Authors: Grow, Daniel, Kawwass, Jennifer F, Kulkarni, Aniket D, Durant, Tonji, Jamieson, Denise J, Macaluso, Maurizio
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; agonist; antagonist; Embryo Implantation; Embryo Transfer; Female; Fertilization in Vitro - methods; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone - agonists; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone - antagonists & inhibitors; good prognosis; Hormone Antagonists - therapeutic use; Humans; implantation rate; live birth rate; Obstetrics and Gynecology; Ovulation Induction - methods; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Rate; Prognosis; United States
• ISSN: 1472-6483; 1472-6491
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2014.05.007

Abstract Implantation and live birth rates resulting from IVF cycles using gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist and (GnRH) antagonist IVF protocols were compared among good-prognosis patients using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Assisted Reproductive Technology Surveillance System 2009–2010 data ( n = 203,302 fresh, autologous cycles). Bivariable and multivariable analyses were conducted between cycles to compare outcomes. Cycles were restricted as follows: age younger than 35 years, maximum FSH less than 10 mIU/mL, first assisted reproduction technology cycle and FSH dose less than 3601 IU. A subgroup analysis including only elective single embryo transfer was also carried out. Among good-prognosis patients, the GnRH-agonist protocol was associated with a lower risk of cancellation before retrieval (4.3 versus 5.2%; P < 0.05) or transfer (5.5 versus 6.8%; P < 0.05), and a higher live birth rate per transfer (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.13, confidence interval [CI] 1.03 to 1.25) than the GnRH-antagonist group. Among the elective single embryo transfer group, the GnRH-agonist protocol was associated with a higher implantation rate (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.36, CI 1.08 to 1.73) and a higher live birth rate (adjusted OR 1.33, CI 1.07 to 1.66) compared with the GnRH-antagonist protocol. The GnRH-antagonist group had lower rates of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Among good-prognosis patients, agonist protocols decreased cancellation risk and increased odds of implantation and live birth. Antagonist protocols may confer decreased risk of hyperstimulation.