Abstract
Purpose : To compare two GnRHa flare protocols among poor responders undergoing IVF-ET and to evaluate if a Day 6 estradiol level can predict outcome.
Methods : Retrospective analyses of GnRHa flare IVF cycles among poor responders. Group A (“miniflare,” N = 36) 40 μg GnRHa s.c. b.i.d. from Day 3; Group B (“standard flare,” N = 24) 1 mg GnRHa on Days 2–3; 0.5 mg GnRHa from Day 4. ROC analysis was performed to find a Day 6 estradiol value that is predictive of cycle outcome.
Results : With the standard flare, patients required less gonadotropins and tended to have fewer cancellations and higher pregnancy rates. A Day 6 estradiol level ≤75 pg/mL was predictive of cycle cancellation, but not of pregnancy outcome.
Conclusions : Standard GnRHa flare offers some advantages over the miniflare. Day 6 estradiol ≤75 pg/mL is predictive of cycle cancellation. When the estradiol level is low on Day 6 (no flare), early cancellation should be considered.
REFERENCES
Faber BM, Mayer J, Cox B, Jones D, Toner JP, Oehninger S, Muasher S: Cessation of gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist therapy combined with high-dose gonadotropin stimulation yields favorable pregnancy results in low responders. Fertil Steril 1998;69:826–830
Surrey ES, Schoolcraft WB: Evaluating strategies for improving ovarian response of the poor responder undergoing assisted reproductive techniques. Fertil Steril 2000;73: 667–676
Surrey ES, Bower J, Hill DM, Ramsey J, Surrey MW: Clinical and endocrine effects of a microdose GnRH agonist flare regimen administered to poor responders who are undergoing in vitro fertilization. Fertil Steril 1998;69: 419–424
Frydman R, Forman R, Belaisch-Allart J, Hazout A, Parneix I, Testart J: Comparison between flare up and down regulation effects of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonists in an in vitro fertilization program. Fertil Steril 1988;50: 471–475
Cramer DW, Powers DR, Oskowitz SP, Liberman RF, Hornstein MD, McShane PM, Barbieri RL: Gonadotropinreleasing hormone agonist use in assisted reproduction cycles: The influence of long and short regimens on pregnancy rates. Fertil Steril 1999;72:83–90
Padilla SL, Bayati J, Garcia JE: Prognostic value of the early serum estradiol response to leuprolide acetate in in vitro fertilization. Fertil Steril 1990;53:288–294
Winslow KL, Toner JP, Brzyski RG, Oehninger SC, Acosta AA, Muasher SJ:The gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist stimulation test-a sensitive predictor of performance in the flare-up in vitro fertilization cycle. Fertil Steril 1991;56: 711–717
Hu Y, Maxson WS, Hoffman DI, Ory SJ, Eager S, Dupre J, Lu C: Maximizing pregnancy rates and limiting higher-order multiple conceptions by determining the optimal number of embryos to transfer based on quality. Fertil Steril 1998;69: 650–654
Karande V, Morris R, Rinehart J, Miller C, Rao R, Gleicher N: Limited success using the “flare” protocol in poor responders in cycles with low basal follicle-stimulating hormone levels during in vitro fertilization. Fertil Steril 1997;67:900–903
Toth TL, Awward JT, Veeck LL, Jones HW, Muasher SJ: Suppression and flare regimens of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist. Use in women with different basal gonadotropin values in an in vitro fertilization program.J Reprod Med 1996;41:321–326
Salat-Baroux J, Rotten D, Alvarez S, Antoine JM: Comparison of growth hormone responses to growth hormone-releasing factor and clonidine in women with normal or poor ovarian response to gonadotropin stimulation. Fertil Steril 1993;60: 791–799
Olivennes F, Righini C, Fanchin R, Torrisi C, Hazout A, Glissant M, Fernandez H, Frydman F: A protocol using a low dose of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist might be the best protocol for patients with high follicle-stimulating hormone concentrations on day 3. Hum Reprod 1996;11: 1169–1172
Broekmans FJ, Scheffer GJ, Bancsi LFJMM, Dorland M, Blankenstein MA, te Velde ER: Ovarian reserve tests in infertility practice and normal fertile women. Maturitas 1998;30:205–214
Sharara FD, Scott RT, Jr, Seifer DB: The detection of diminished ovarian reserve in infertile women. AmJ Obstet Gynecol 1998;179:804–812
Lindheim SR, Barad DH, Witt BR, Ditkoff E, Sauer MV: Short-term gonadotropin suppression with oral contraceptives benefits poor responders prior to controlled ovarian hyperstimulation. J Assist Reprod Genet 1996;13: 745–747
Kovacs P, Barg PE, Witt BR: Hypothalamic-pituitary suppression with oral contraceptive pills does not improve outcome in poor responder patients undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer cycles. J Assist Reprod Genet 2001;18:391–394
Schoolcraft W, Schlenker T, Gee M, Stevens J, Wagley L: Improved controlled ovarian hyperstimulation in poor responder in vitro fertilization patients with a microdose follicle-stimulating hormone flare, growth hormone protocol. Fertil Steril 1997;67:93–97
Loumaye E, Vankrieken L, Depreester S, Psalti I, de Cooman S, Thomas K: Hormonal changes induced by short-term administration of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist during ovarian hyperstimulation for in vitro fertilization and their consequences for embryo development. Fertil Steril 1989;51:105–111
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kovacs, P., Witt, B.R. Day 6 Estradiol Level Predicts Cycle Cancellation Among Poor Responder Patients Undergoing In Vitro Fertilization—Embryo Transfer Cycles Using a Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Agonist Flare Regimen. J Assist Reprod Genet 19, 349–353 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1016014810853
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1016014810853