Abstract
Purpose:
The purpose of the study was to compare the effectiveness of GnRH antagonist with luteal phase estradiol administration to GnRH agonist cycles, long protocol.
Methods:
55 IVF-ICSI patients received oestradiol in the luteal phase of the cycle, before a cycle with GnRH antagonist. Fifty-five patients submitted to IVF-ICSI with the use of agonist were allocated, age matched, as a control group (historical control). The primary outcome was the number of retrieved oocytes.
Results:
Patients were similar in terms of clinical characteristics. No differences were found in the number of oocytes retrieved (study group, 8.1 ± 4.7; control group, 7.4 ± 4.5) or in oocyte quality.
Conclusions:
We clearly demonstrated that the effectiveness of GnRH antagonist when combined with luteal phase estradiol is comparable to GnRH agonist cycles.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Albano C, Smitz J, Camus M, Rietmuller-Winzen H, Van Steirteghem A, Devroey P. Comparison of different doses of gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist Cetrorelix during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation. Fertil Steril 1997;67:917–22.
European Orgalutran Study Group, Borm G, Mannaerts B. Treatment with the gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist ganirelix in women undergoing ovarian stimulation with recombinant follicle stimulating hormone is effective, safe and convenient: results of a controlled, randomized, multicentre trial. Hum Reprod 2000;15:1490–8.
European Middle East Orgalutran Study Group. Comparable clinical outcome using the GnRH antagonist ganirelix or a long protocol of the GnRH agonist triptorelin for the prevention of premature LH surges in women undergoing ovarian stimulation. Hum Reprod 2001;16:644–51.
Al-Inany H, Aboulghar M. Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone antagonists for assisted conception. A Cochrane review. Hum Reprod 2002;17:874–85.
Olivennes F, Cunha Filho JS, Fanchin R, Bouchard P, Frydman R. The use of GnRH antagonists in ovarian stimulation. Hum Reprod Update 2002;8:279–90.
Klein NA, Battaglia DE, Fujimoto VY, Davis GS, Bremner WJ, Soules MR. Reproductive aging: accelerated ovarian follicular development associated with a monotropic follicle-stimulating hormone rise in normal older women. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1996;81:1038–45.
Fanchin R, Cunha-Filho JS, Schonauer LM, Kadoch IJ, Cohen-Bacri P, Frydman R. Coordination of early antral follicles by luteal estradiol administration provides a basis for alternative controlled ovarian hyperstimulation regimens. Fertil Steril 2003;79(2):316–21.
Olivennes F, Belaisch-Allart J, Emperaire JC, Dechaud H, Alvarez S, Moreau L, et al. Prospective, randomized, controlled study of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer with a single dose of a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) antagonist (cetrorelix) or a depot formula of an LHRH agonist (triptorelin). Fertil Steril 2000;73(2):314–20.
Albano C, Felberbaum RE, Smitz J, Riethmüller-Winzen H, Engel J, Diedrich K, et al. On behalf of the European Cetrorelix Study Group Ovarian stimulation with HMG: results of a prospective randomized phase III European study comparing the luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH)-antagonist cetrorelix and the LHRH-agonist buserelin. Hum Reprod 2000;15:526–31.
The North American Ganirelix Study Group, Fluker M, Grifo J, Leader A, Levy M, Meldrum D, Muasher SJ, et al. Efficacy and safety of ganirelix acetate versus leuprolide acetate in women undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation. Fertil Steril 2001;75:38–45.
Fanchin R, Salomon L, Castelo-Branco A, Olivennes F, Frydman N, Frydman R. Luteal estradiol pre-treatment coordinates follicular growth during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation with GnRH antagonists. Hum Reprod 2003;8(12):2698–703.
Zeleznik AJ. Premature elevation of systemic estradiol reduces serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone and lengthens the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle in rhesus monkeys. Endocrinology 1981;109:352–5.
De Ziegler D, Jaaskelainen AS, Brioschi PA, Fanchin R, Bulletti C. Synchronization of endogenous and exogenous FSH stimuli in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH). Hum Reprod 1998;13:561–4.
Ludwig M, Katalinic A, Banz C, Schröeder AK, Löning M, Weiss JM, et al. Tailoring the GnRH antagonist cetrorelix acetate to individual patients`needs in ovarian stimulation for IVF: results of prospective, randomized study. Hum Reprod 2002;17(11):2842–5.
Cunha-Filho JS, Lemos N, Stein N, Laranjeira A, Passos EP. Vascular endothelial growth factor and inhibin A in follicular fluid of infertile patients who underwent in vitro fertilization with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist. Fertil Steril 2005;83(4):902–7.
Acknowledgments
We would like to thank Ana Angélica Gratão and Luciane Baptista for the activities developed in our lab.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Capsule
Oestradiol associated to GnRH antagonist may increase the rates of oocytes causing reproductive results to be comparable to the results with the use of agonists.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Cunha Filho, J.S., Terres, L.F., Holanda, F. et al. Luteal phase oestradiol administration in ovarian stimulation cycles with GnRH antagonist is comparable to the GnRH agonist (long) protocol. J Assist Reprod Genet 24, 326–330 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-007-9125-x
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-007-9125-x