Menotropin stimulation after prolonged gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist pretreatment for in vitro fertilization in patients with endometriosis

Abstract

Two protocols were scheduled for in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) in patients with various stages of endometriosis who were resistant to conventional therapies. In the ultralong protocol (21 patients), gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist (Gn-RHa) was administered for at least 60 days prior to ovarian stimulation along with menotropin until human chorionic gonadotropin was injected. In the long protocol (11 patients), Gn-RHa was started at the midluteal phase and exogenous gonadotropin was commenced between the third and the seventh day of the menstrual cycle after pituitary suppression. The estradiol response and the number of retrieved oocytes, fertilized oocytes, cleaved oocytes, and transferred embryos were similar in both groups but the clinical pregnancy rate per transfer was superior in the ultralong protocol (67 vs 27%). The miscarriage rate was 14% (2/14) in the ultralong protocol. Prolonged Gn-RHa suppression of ovarian function before superovulation may overcome some causes of infertility in patients with endometriosis.