Does the addition of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist improve the pregnancy rate in intrauterine insemination? A prospective controlled trial

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to determine if the use of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist can improve pregnancy and live-birth rates during superovulation and intrauterine insemination (IUI).

Subjects and methods: In this prospective study, which started in January 2004 and finished in October 2006, women aged 18-39 years underwent 500 cycles of superovulation/IUI with (n = 254) and without (n = 246) GnRH agonist.

Setting: Saudi Center for Assisted Reproduction, Abha, Saudi Arabia.

Results: There were no significant differences with regard to patient demographics between the studied groups. In addition, there was no statistically significant difference in the live-birth, ongoing and clinical pregnancy rates per cycle for patients who received GnRH agonist and patients who did not receive GnRH agonist.

Conclusion: Superovulation/IUI cycles using GnRH agonist produce similar pregnancy rates to superovulation/IUI cycles without using GnRH agonist.