Efficiency of follicle-stimulating hormone, commenced in the luteal phase, for overcoming a poor response in assisted reproduction

• Published in: The journal of obstetrics and gynaecology research 2008-08, Vol.34 (4), p.574-577
• Main Authors: Kucuk, Tansu, Göktolga, Ümit, Sozen, Eran
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Embryo Transfer; Female; Follicle Stimulating Hormone - administration & dosage; follicle-stimulating hormone; Humans; Infertility, Female - therapy; long protocol gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist; luteal phase; Luteal Phase - drug effects; Male; Ovulation Induction - methods; poor responder; Pregnancy; Prospective Studies; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic - methods
• ISSN: 1341-8076; 1447-0756
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1447-0756.2008.00750.x

Aim:  The efficacy of commencement of recombinant follicle‐stimulating hormone (recFSH) during the luteal phase in the long‐protocol gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist regimen in poor responders was compared with the conventional protocol in a prospective, randomized, controlled study. Methods:  Forty‐two women who responded poorly to previous conventional controlled ovarian hyperstimulation were included in the study. Recombinant FSH (150 IU) was started simultaneously with the GnRH agonist long protocol in the study group. The control group was started recFSH on Day 2 of menstruation in the long‐protocol GnRH agonist regimen. The number of metaphase (M) II oocytes, the number of embryos transferred, and the pregnancy rate were analyzed as main outcome measures. Results:  Patients in the study group had a higher number of MII oocytes compared with the control group (6.8 vs 3.2, respectively; P