GnRH Antagonist Multiple Dose Protocol in Controlled Ovarian Hyperstimulation for In Vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer Compared with GnRH Agonist Long Protocol / 대한산부인과학회잡지

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of GnRH antagonist multiple dose protocol (MDP) in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) for in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) comparing with the standard GnRH agonist long protocol (GnRH-a LP). METHODS: From January 2000 to September 2002, 57 infertile women with tubal factor alone who had undergone IVF-ET were enrolled in the present study. Study group consisted of 28 patients in 28 cycles in which GnRH antagonist Cetrorelix 0.25 mg was given daily when the leading follicle reached 14 mm in mean diameter until the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) injection. Control group consisted of 29 patients in 29 cycles in which COH was performed using standard GnRH-a luteal LP. RESULTS: Patient's characteristics were comparable in both groups. Premature luteinization was not developed in all patients in each group. The number of ampules and duration of exogenous gonadotropins required were significantly lower in the study group than those in the control group (por=14 mm diameter on the day of hCG injection, the number of oocytes retrieved, fertilization rate, and the number of grade I, II embryos between the two groups, but the numbers of mature oocytes retrieved and fertilized oocytes were significantly lower in the study group than in the control group (p<0.01, p<0.01). The clinical pregnancy rate seemed to be lower in the study group, but the difference did not achieve significance (28.6% vs 34.5%). There were also no differences in the miscarriage rate and multiple pregnancy rate between the two groups. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that GnRH antagonist Cetrorelix MDP can result in the comparable pregnancy outcome as the GnRH-a LP and furthermore reduce the total dose of gonadotropins and duration of stimulation.