[GnRH agonist/hMG stimulation in gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT)]

Abstract

During a period of 17 months 61 couples without pathological tubal factors were treated by follicular puncture and gamete intra-Fallopian transfer (GIFT) at the department of Obstretrics and Gynaecology, University of Hamburg. The combination GnRH-antagonist (GnRH-A)/hMG was administered in 69 stimulation cycles. Two different GnRH-A application forms were used (daily intranasal spray/monthly depot injection). In all cases mature oocytes were collected after ovulation induction, and gamete transfer was performed. None of the cycles had to be cancelled. Twenty-two clinical pregnancies were achieved (32% by stimulation cycle). The highest pregnancy rate was observed in the group of cervical infertility (58%), lowest rate in cases of pathological male factors (15%). In addition, pregnancy rate correlated with the number and maturity of transfered oocytes. The combined GnRH-A/hMG stimulation therapy allows for a prolonged active follicular development without the occurrence of endogenous, premature luteinization. Besides a more flexible and effective strategy of ovarian stimulation, the number of follicles/oocytes was L, increased which provided a better condition for GIFT.