Ovarian stimulation by a combination of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist and gonadotropins for in vitro fertilization

Abstract

In the first of two studies, 20 patients were selected on the basis of tubal infertility and were randomly assigned to two groups receiving different ovarian stimulation protocols. In group A, 10 patients were given follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), FSH was continued until the criteria for human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration were satisfied. In group B, 10 patients received Buserelin (0.3 ml twice a day subcutaneously) for 14 days to induce pituitary desensitization. Stimulation with FSH was then started, and Buserelin treatment was continued until hCG administration. In the second study, patients were included if they had had at least two previous attempts at ovarian stimulation that failed to reach the stage of follicular aspiration. Ovarian stimulation was conducted with a combination of Buserelin and human menopausal gonadotropin. Use of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist in in vitro fertilization increased the number of oocytes collected, the fertilization rate, the length of the luteal phase and the pregnancy rate. The GnRH agonist also contributed to a generally better ovarian response in patients whose estradiol production had previously responded poorly to conventional ovarian stimulation protocols.