Abstract
Objective: We investigated the influence of premature luteinization in in vitro fertilization using a long protocol of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) and recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (rFSH), taking ovarian response into account in the definition of premature luteinization. Materials and Methods: A total of 339 cycles of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation with rFSH and GnRHa were performed in 311 infertile couples. Premature luteinization was defined as a progesterone (P) to estradiol (E 2) ratio of> 1 on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration. The P/E2 ratio is calculated as: P (ng/mL) × 1,000/E2 (pg/mL). Clinical outcomes were compared for the prematurely luteinized and non-prematurely luteinized groups. Results: The mean number of retrieved oocytes, recovered mature oocytes, embryos and top quality embryos were significantly higher in the non-prematurely luteinized group than in the prematurely luteinized group. Although fertilization rates and implantation rates were similar between the two groups, the clinical pregnancy rate was higher in the non-prematurely luteinized group than in the prematurely luteinized group. Conclusion: Premature luteinization, defined as late follicular P/E2 ratio of > 1 in long GnRHa cycles with rFSH stimulation, adversely affected ovarian responses and clinical outcomes. It seems unrelated to preovulatory luteinizing hormone (LH) elevation and LH/hCG content of gonadotropins and could be associated with poor ovarian response and the presence of dysmature follicles.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 168-174 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology |
Volume | 47 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 06 2008 |
Keywords
- GnRH agonist
- Premature luteinization
- Progesterone to estradiol ratio
- Recombinant FSH