Short coasting of 1 or 2 days by withholding both gonadotropins and gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist prevents ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome without compromising the outcome
Received 13 November 2006; received in revised form 24 October 2007; accepted 24 October 2007. published online 25 April 2008.
Objective
To evaluate the effect of short coasting, by withdrawing both gonadotropins and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist, on the prevention of severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) without compromising pregnancy outcome.
Design
Retrospective study.
Setting
Large urban medical center.
Patient(s)
Forty-four women who had been coasted during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) for in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Intervention(s)
When ≥20 follicles >15 mm with serum estradiol (E2) level of 4000 pg/mL were detected, both gonadotropins and GnRH agonist were withheld for 1 to 2 days.
Main Outcome Measure(s)
Changes of serum E2 levels, number of oocytes retrieved, pregnancy rate.
Result(s)
The mean serum E2 level fell from 7915 pg/mL at the onset of coasting to 3908 pg/mL on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration. The mean number of oocytes retrieved and fertilization rate were 17.2% and 75.0%, respectively. Eighteen patients became pregnant (43.9%), and the implantation rate was 12.7%. Twenty-eight patients were coasted for 1 day, and 13 were coasted for 2 days. The mean decrease rate of serum E2 level was 45.3% in 1-day coasting and 26.4% (first day) and 75.3% (second day) in 2-day coasting. The pregnancy outcome was similar between both groups. After coasting, three mild and two severe cases of OHSS occurred.
Conclusion(s)
Coasting for 1 or 2 days can be used successfully to prevent OHSS without compromising IVF cycle outcome.
Center for Reproductive Medicine and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Good Moonhwa Hospital, Busan, South Korea
Reprint requests: Hwa Sook Moon, M.D., Ph.D., Center for Reproductive Medicine and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Good Moonhwa Hospital, 899-8 Bum-il Dong, Busan, 601-062, South Korea (FAX: 82-51-630-0750).
ABSTRACT