Mild Stimulation Protocol Versus Microdose Gonadotropin-releasing Hormone Agonist Flare up Protocol in Poor Responders

Summary

Despite the progression in assisted reproductive technology (ART), the preferred protocol for poor responders is still controversial. The management of poor responders consists of 10% of ART cycles . The response to controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) is lower regarding estradiol level , number of obtained oocytes , and fertilization , implantation and pregnancy rates in patients with low ovarian reserve . Furthermore , bad quality embryos are observed in these women more than normoresponders and the increase of cancellation rate and doses of gonadotropin administration are remarkable results in poor responders . Several criteria have introduced for poor responders , the main defect in the management of them is lack of specific definition .Several strategies are available to improve ART cycles outcome in poor responders. These modalities include using : high FSH dose , stop GnRH-agonist protocol , addition of growth hormone , transdermal testosterone , aromatase inhibitor , GnRH-antagonist and recombinant FSH ( r-FSH) ; while the improvement of pregnancy rate has been quite low. The most common used protocol for ovarian stimulation is microdose GnRH-agonist flare in poor responders .Some investigators concluded that the use of GnRH-agonist " even in lower doses , led to prolonged stimulation and increased the cost without improving IVF outcome. Furthermore this method increased LH , progesterone and androgen of serum in follicular phase , which caused deleterious effect on follicular growth and oocyte quality . Clomiphene citrate co-treatment with gonadotropin and antagonist are one of the recommended protocol in poor responders . Clomiphene citrate increases endogenous FSH versus agonist in microdose protocol. Decreasing the doses of used gonadotropin and duration of stimulation are its beneficial effects in COH cycle . The aim of this study was comparing CC/gonadotropin/antagonist and GnRH agonist flare protocols on IVF outcome in poor responders .

Timeline

Start

2009-04

Primary completion

2009-08

Completion

2010-05

Drugs

Indications