[Comparison of ovulation induction protocols for in vitro fertilization]

Abstract

In a retrospective study we evaluated 4 controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) protocols for in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. Treatment cycles 4 through 8 were analyzed in patients, who in 3 previous attempts reached the stage of embryo transfer (ET) but did not conceive. The 426 recorded cycles included all indications for IVF, but not the male factor. The age range was 25-46 years. Patients underwent from 4 cycles (169 women) to 8 cycles (27 women). The COH protocols used included established combinations of menotropins, clomiphene citrate/hMG, and short and long protocols of GnRH analogs followed by hMG. There were no statistically significant differences in patient age, etiology and duration of infertility, or distribution of the various COH protocols among the groups of patients. No single protocol was significantly superior to any other when the pregnancy rate per cycle was assessed. The results did not justify changing a COH protocol which had lead to ET but not to pregnancy, for another protocol.