Luteinizing hormone concentrations after gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist administration do not influence pregnancy rates in in vitro fertilization–embryo transfer
Received 14 May 2003; received in revised form 10 November 2003; accepted 10 November 2003.
Abstract
Objective
To determine the impact of circulating LH concentrations during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation on the outcome of IVF.
Design
Retrospective study.
Setting
University hospital.
Patient(s)
Two-hundred seventy women who had a short stimulation protocol with GnRH antagonist and ovarian stimulation with recombinant FSH (rFSH).
Intervention(s)
GnRH antagonist and rFSH were administered SC; blood samples were collected on the day of GnRH antagonist administration, 1 day after, and on the day of hCG administration.
Main outcome measure(s)
A threshold of 0.5 IU/L on the day of hCG was chosen to discriminate between women with LH concentrations ≤0.5 IU/L (group A, n = 119) or >0.5 IU/L (group B, n = 151).
Result(s)
The two groups were comparable with regard to the clinical parameters. In group A, significantly lower LH concentrations were observed on day 9 of the cycle and on the day of hCG administration. The numbers of oocytes retrieved, embryos obtained, and embryos cryopreserved were significantly higher in group A compared with group B. The proportion of clinical pregnancies was similar in the two groups (21.1% vs. 22.7 % per ET).
Conclusion(s)
In GnRH antagonist and rFSH protocols, suppressed serum LH concentrations do not have any influence on the final stages of follicular maturation, pregnancy rates, or outcomes.
aDepartment of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, Hǒpital Tenon, Paris, France
bLaboratory of Biochemistry, Hǒpital Tenon, Paris, France
cLaboratory of In Vitro Fertilization and Cytogenetics, Hǒpital Tenon, Paris, France
Reprint requests: Philippe Merviel, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, Hǒpital Tenon, 4 rue de la Chine, 75020 Paris, France (FAX: 00-33-01-56-01-60-62).
ABSTRACT