Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) Priming Prior to Controlled Ovarian Hyperstimulation (COH) in Poor Responder In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Patients

Summary

There is a decline in androgen concentration with ovarian aging. Also, ovarian response to COH in IVF cycles diminishes with ovarian aging. Recent evidence suggest that testosterone or DHEA may improve ovarian response in poor prognosis patients by increasing intraovarian androgen concentration. A physiological way to induce androgen synthesis within the ovary is to stimulate theca cells androgen production by hCG stimulation. By doing this in the previous cycle we might expect a better response to COH.

Timeline

Start

2008-10

Primary completion

2010-09

Completion

2010-09

Publications

• Background Balasch J, Fabregues F, Penarrubia J, Carmona F, Casamitjana R, Creus M, Manau D, Casals G, Vanrell JA. Pretreatment with transdermal testosterone may improve ovarian response to gonadotrophins in poor-responder IVF patients with normal basal concentrations of FSH. Hum Reprod. 2006 Jul;21(7):1884-93. doi: 10.1093/humrep/del052. Epub 2006 Mar 3.
• Background Massin N, Cedrin-Durnerin I, Coussieu C, Galey-Fontaine J, Wolf JP, Hugues JN. Effects of transdermal testosterone application on the ovarian response to FSH in poor responders undergoing assisted reproduction technique--a prospective, randomized, double-blind study. Hum Reprod. 2006 May;21(5):1204-11. doi: 10.1093/humrep/dei481. Epub 2006 Feb 13.

Drugs

Indications