The luteal phase of nonsupplemented cycles after ovarian superovulation with human menopausal gonadotropin and the gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist Cetrorelix

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the luteal phase of six patients undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) with hMG and a new GnRH antagonist, Cetrorelix, without receiving luteal phase supplementation.

Design: Phase II study involving the first six patients who did not receive luteal phase support.

Setting: Tertiary referral center.

Patient(s): Six healthy women undergoing COH for assisted reproductive techniques.

Intervention(s): Oocyte retrieval was performed 36 hours after hCG administration, followed by embryo transfer 2 days later. No luteal phase supplementation was given.

Main outcome measure(s): Serum E2, progesterone, LH, and FSH concentrations were measured.

Result(s): The length of the luteal phase was < or =12 days in three of the six patients. One of the patients in whom the luteal phase was >12 days had a low serum progesterone concentration (2.9 ng/mL) on day 10. Serum LH concentrations decreased after the preovulatory hCG injection in all patients. However, a progressive increase in LH was observed after day 7, reaching normal values.

Conclusion(s): Corpus luteum function seems to be impaired in cycles that are stimulated with hMG and the GnRH antagonist Cetrorelix.